Plateau State Killings: Traders Buried Amidst Tension

The bodies of several traders, tragically killed en route from Jos to Pankshin Local Government Area in Plateau State, Nigeria, have been recovered and buried in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area following the brutal attack.

The victims, who regularly travelled to Pankshin for their weekly shoe trading, were laid to rest on Monday evening at the Sabon Anguwa cemetery in Barkin Ladi town. According to government sources, the decision to bury the victims away from their home communities was made to de-escalate simmering tensions that had arisen after reports of the killings emerged.

The deceased were all residents of the Yandoya community within Jos North Local Government Area. Following news of the attack, youths gathered, demanding the release of their relatives' bodies, a situation that prompted security authorities to deploy personnel to restore order in the area.

Community Responds to Tragic Attack

Danjuma Ibrahim, a youth leader from the Muslim community in Barkin Ladi, confirmed the burial. "Earlier Monday afternoon, we were contacted that the corpses of the traders would be brought to us in Barkin Ladi for burial. We later received them and performed the funeral. It was done here in Barkin Ladi to douse tension in Jos," Ibrahim stated.

He further elaborated on the number of casualties and the community's plea: "The traders were six, but two escaped the attack. We buried four. We are calling on people in the state to remain calm and law-abiding. We are also calling on the government and other security agencies to do the needful to bring an end to growing violence in all the affected communities."