Over 25 persons were killed in Plateau State due to attacks by Fulani militia and a clash of vigilante operatives with terrorists and bandits.
A clash between a vigilante group and terrorists and their bandits’ comrades in Bangalala town, Wase Local Government Area (LGA) of the State claimed 18 lives on both sides.
But the Police are angry at the vigilantes for embarking on the attack against the terrorists without informing it or any of the security agencies.
Also, a Fulani militia reprisal attack of Danda Chugwi community in Jos South, on Sunday, left seven people dead and others injured.
The National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, told journalists on Monday in the Plateau State capital, Jos, that the Danda Chugwi killings came less than 24 hours after 18 persons were killed during a clash between terrorists and the vigilante group in Wase.
The local vigilantes, Tengwong said, succeeded in killing the 16 terrirsts but lost two of their members to the fierce battle.
He explained that having occupied the town after threatening its people to vacate, the terrorists got a surprise from the vigilantes, who mobilised and confronted them.
The Police reportedly fumed at the development, saying the vigilante did not consult any security agency before launching the attack.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Alfred Alabo, said the vigilantes might have unknowingly committed murder during the attack.
Promising to investigate the matter, Alabo added: “If you fight bandits and recover exhibits, is it not a good thing? Then, you report it to the Police. If you don’t want to report to the police, you report to Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Department of State Services (DSS), Civil Defence or Customs represented there. Why will you leave all the government agencies and go to the newspaper to publish?”
Military Information Officer (MIO) of OPSH, Maj. Ishaku Takwa, said soldiers had been deployed to the area, adding: “Information at our disposal showed no death of bandits or vigilantes.”
