The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed that 10 persons were killed while 30 houses were burnt down by gunmen who attacked Te’egbe Community ,Bassa Local Governement Area of Plateau state in the early hours of Friday .
In a statement issued on Friday by its Spokeperson, Ubah Ogaba, the Police Command said, “On 26/11/2021 at about 0130hrs, the Command received a report of an attack by yet to be identified gunmen at Te’egbe Village of Bassa LGA of the State.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, Bartholomew Onyeka, immediately drafted a tactical team of the Command to the scene to avert further attack.
“Unfortunately, ten persons were killed and about thirty houses set ablaze by the attackers.
“The Commissioner of Police further led other Senior Officers of the Command to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and to console with the victims of the attack.
“The CP has directed that discreet investigation be carried out and assured the community of his readiness to fish out the perpetrators of this barbaric act.”
Meanwhile ,indigenous natives of the attacked community, the Irigwe ethnic nationality, have expressed disappointment with the security agents who they accused of failing to protect the people despite having prior knowledge of the attack.
Expressing their feelings over the killings in a statement on Friday signed by their Secretary, Danjuma Auta, the people said, “Once again, the Irigwe nation has to write this statement stating our pain concerning the renewed orchestrated attacks on our people for no reason, having enjoyed some relative peace that lasted for some weeks now.
“Just last week, we read on social media about the threat sent in by Fulani herders to the military stationed at Ancha, asking them to allow for free grazing in and around all communities in Irigwe land or be made to face the worst.”
The statement noted that although the military dismissed such threat, “the Marauders made right their claims as they attacked Ancha village on Tuesday 23th November 2021 and killed 2 people”
“If those who’re saddled with the constitutional responsibility of protecting us feels overwhelmed and can no longer guarantee us our safety anymore. They should come out publicly and tell Nigerians,” the statement said.
The statement further pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to come to their rescue before it’s too late adding that security operatives “must be made to quickly investigate Fulani settlements fingered to be hosting and training these attackers.”