Plateau State has once more been plunged into mourning after suspected Fulani terrorists invaded Rachas village in Heipang District and Rawuru village in Fan District, both in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, killing 13 persons, injuring several others, and destroying farmlands.
The Tuesday night assaults were confirmed by the Executive Chairman of the council, Stephen Gyang Pwajok, who attended the mass burial of the victims at Rachas village on Wednesday.
He said the incidents were carried out simultaneously and had the marks of well-coordinated invasions.
While speaking at the burial, Pwajok said the attacks were unprovoked and further highlighted past attempts by the Fulani to eliminate the indigenes and take over their ancestral lands.
The council chairman, who sympathized with families of the deceased and the affected communities, condemned what he described as a heinous act, assuring that the government remains determined to explore all possible avenues to restore and maintain peace in the area.
The District Head of Heipang, Da Paul Tadi-Tok, who also spoke at the burial, lamented the persistent attacks on innocent villagers and urged for firm measures to prevent a recurrence.
The traditional ruler urged the government and security agencies to restrict herders from grazing in communities where Fulani are not resident, stressing that such measures would help reduce friction and prevent infiltration by attackers posing as herders.
The traditional ruler further called for the revitalization and strengthening of Operation Rainbow, the state-owned community security outfit, to enable it respond promptly to distressed situations in rural communities.
Also speaking, the Security Adviser to Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and Coordinator, Operation Rainbow, Brigadier General Shippi Gakji Goshwe (Rtd.), assured that the government is doing everything possible to improve community-based security operations.
Goshwe disclosed that Operation Rainbow is currently undergoing a recruitment process and that new personnel would be trained and equipped to support conventional security agencies in combating the wave of attacks across the state.
