By Abdul Abdul, Jos
Three people were killed by suspected bandits on Sunday night at Dundu village in Kwall District of Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa local government in Plateau State.
In the last two weeks, there was a massive destruction of dry season farm crops by alleged Fulani militia men.
Those who were gruesomely murdered on Sunday include Mr. John Avia, (48 years), Sunday Vickson, (32) and Peter Vickson, (30).
And the incident was confirmed by the Plateau State Police Command on Monday.
National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Youth Movement, Joseph Chudu Yonkpa, said in a statement on Monday that “these incidents are one too many, and the numerous destructions Fulani militias continue to wage on the Irigwe community reaffirm their resolve against peaceful coexistence, peace, and tranquility in Irigwe land.
“We encourage our people to increase vigilance, as our enemies are never asleep, seeking only to cause trouble and pain in our land. May God continue to rest the souls of our beloved ones, grant them eternal rest, and may our attackers never know peace.”
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government has indirectly reacted to the killings, saying that the State has recruited 600 personnel to boost community policing as part of steps towards enhancing security and restoring peace across the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The government also said the move to boost community policing is essential for addressing the unique security challenges faced by different communities in the State, adding that the recruited personnel are expected to work closely with conventional security agencies to restore peace and harmony in the State.
Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Joyce Ramnap, told journalists that security is very paramount to State government and therefore saw the need to recruit local people to provide security with relevant information about criminal activities in their areas.
Ramnap said: “At the start of his administration, the governor revived Operation Rainbow, which had been in decline, as part of the revival, 600 personnel were trained in intelligence gathering and early warning systems.
“Operation Rainbow has also set up a State Security Information Centre with hotlines for people to report security concerns. Security is paramount to the Governor Caleb Mutfwang-led administration. You and I can attest that there is relative peace on the Plateau.”