Sadness as eight victims of Plateau attack are buried

Grief and anger filled Gwon-Ajang village in Foron District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Monday. Eight victims of a recent gunmen attack were buried in a mass grave.

Family members, community leaders, religious leaders, and many sympathisers attended the emotional ceremony. They mourned those killed during the attack on the village over the weekend.

Reports say more than 15 people were injured in the assault. This has raised fresh worries about the ongoing insecurity in Plateau State.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Gyendeng, spoke during the burial. He represented Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency. He lamented the repeated attacks and the ongoing loss of lives in affected communities.

"We are sick and tired of being killed. We have been living in peace and have tried everything humanly possible not to engage anybody," he said.

"We have never crossed into another community to attack anyone, yet these things continue to happen to us daily."

Gyendeng expressed his frustration about the authorities' failure to stop the violence, despite residents’ peaceful nature.

"It is painful. People stay in their communities, and somebody comes to attack and kill them. You cannot even celebrate one good thing without fear. For how long will people continue to live this kind of life?" he asked.

He urged security agencies and the government to take strong actions to end the attacks. He also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

Ishaya David Lalu, who represents Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, also reacted. He described the killings in Foron and other recent attacks in Plateau State as tragic and unacceptable.

"I am deeply saddened by the continuous loss of innocent lives in our communities," he said.

"These attacks are not only cruel but also a direct assault on our shared humanity and peaceful coexistence as a people."

Lalu called on security agencies to do more to protect vulnerable communities and bring the attackers to justice.

Dalyop Mwantiri, the national president of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, warned that many rural areas are exposed to attacks due to low security presence.

He said residents mainly rely on local vigilante groups that are not well-equipped to fight against armed attackers.

Mwantiri called on the Federal Government to send more security personnel to vulnerable communities. He warned that not acting could leave residents at the mercy of armed groups.

He also criticized what he called a "conspiracy of silence" over the repeated attacks on indigenous communities. He urged authorities to improve security in affected areas.

Mwantiri appealed to the Federal Government to seek help from the international community in tackling insecurity and terrorism in the state.