From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
No fewer than 15 people have been killed in a fresh attack in Gidan Ado village, Ganawuri Chiefdom of Riyom Local Government of Plateau State.
Daily Sun gathered that the victims, which included a pregnant woman and children, were killed at about 8pm on Sunday after stakeholders held a security meeting for a peaceful yuletide.
National President of the Irigwe Youth Development Association, Mr. Ezekiel Bini, confirmed the incident.
Bini described the attack as barbaric, saying the coordinated killing of the innocent persons less few hours to Christmas wass totally not acceptable.
He called on security agencies and the government to immediately take measures to curtail any security challenge and protect the citizens ahead of the Christmas and new year celebration in the state.
The president described the incident as shocking, especially as the Plateau State Police Command had last Thursday announced security measures ahead of the Christmas celebration.
The measures included restriction of night activities in five local government areas, including from 6pm to 6am to avert security challenges.
Chairman of Riyom Local Government, Sati Shuwa, visited the village a company by his deputy, Gwong Song and Secretary, Abraham Tongjing, condemned the act and described it as an evil.
Shuwa who attended the mass burial of the 15 persons killed including a pregnant woman and one year child, said it is sad especially when the local government held a security meeting with all stakeholders, security agencies, community Leaders on peaceful existence less then 24 hours before the incident happened.
He expressed sadness that despite the security meeting, the evil people went ahead and put tears in the heart of the villagers.
He disclosed that with the evidence on ground and the visit of the GOC to the scene drastic measures will be taken to arrest the perpetrators. The First traditional ruler of Ganawuri Chiefdom Ata Aten, Yakubu Chairman and the National President, Ateng Development Association, Clement Chup also condemned the killing of the people.
No fewer than 300 were killed on Christmas Eve of 2023, in coordinated attacks in Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas.