13 killed in fresh Plateau attacks

•9 Jos-bound passengers shot dead

From** Jude Owuamanam, **Jos

At least 13 people were killed and several others injured in separate attacks by suspected terrorists on communities in Jos South, Mangu and Riyom Local Governments,Plateau State at the weekend.

Nine of the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle at Dungus Junction, Kuru, in Jos South LG , on Sunday night.

The other four victims were killed in separate attacks in Mangu and Riyom local governments on Saturday.

National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the Jos South attack to our correspondent in Jos yesterday, said the victims were travelling in a Jos-bound bus when the attackers opened fire at about 9:40 p.m.

He said several other passengers sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospitals for treatment, adding that some of the injured later died.

According to him, a member of Plateau State’s internal security outfit, Operation Rainbow, was among those killed in the attack.

In Mangu, suspected terrorists reportedly attacked Vodni community in Pushit District on Saturday, killing two people and injuring four others.

The injured victims were taken to a hospital in Mangu town for treatment.

Two other people were also reportedly killed in a separate attack at Tahoos in Riyom LG around the same period.

Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, confirmed the attacks, saying the state government received the reports of the killings with “grave concern.”

She condemned the attacks in Mangu and the killings at Dungus Junction in Jos South, describing the incidents as deeply disturbing.

“These incidents are deeply disturbing, especially at a time when the State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders, has continued to strengthen the peace and security architecture of the state through sustained dialogue, intelligence sharing, community engagement and other proactive measures,” she said.

Ramnap urged residents, particularly those in communities affected by insecurity, to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible and timely information that could help prevent further attacks and lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

She also cautioned residents against reprisal attacks, warning that such actions could escalate the violence and undermine ongoing peace-building efforts.

“The protection of lives and property is fundamental to the administration’s vision of rebuilding trust, restoring confidence and creating an environment where citizens can live, farm, travel, invest and pursue their livelihoods without fear,” she said.

The commissioner commiserated with the families of the victims and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

She assured affected communities that the state government would continue to work with security agencies and other stakeholders to strengthen security and protect lives and property across the state.

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