Fresh Jos crisis claims family of seven, others

Tension has gripped Jos and Bukuru metropolis following the murder of seven members of a family and three others in an overnight attack at Heipang and Foron villages, in Barakinn Ladi Local Government areas of Plateau State.

There have been casualties in fresh clashes in Jos lately, raising the fear that the pockets of killings may degenerate into another orgy of violence.

Our correspondent learnt that in the Heipang incident, a man identified as Nnaji, his wife and two children were hacked to death by some unknown persons.

Two of the late Nnaji’s grandchildren, who had come to spend the holidays with him, were also killed.

It was learnt that the latest attack might have been in connection with last Tuesday’s attack in a Fulani settlement at Bisichi in Jos South Local Government council of the state.

Two persons were reportedly killed and 400 cattle stolen on that attack.

In Foron, three children of the same family were killed in another attack by yet-to-be identified persons.

The Media Officer of the Military Special Task Force, Capt. Charles Ekeocha, who confirmed the two incidents said the Heipang attack occurred at 12.05am on Monday.

He said, “A house belonging to Mr. Nnaji, an Igbo man, was attacked and seven members of the family were killed. My troops went there to repel the attack and in the process the vigilance groups in the area opened fire on our troops.

“In retaliation, one member of the vigilance groups, with AK 47 rifle and 30 rounds of 7.62 (special), was shot. He later died on the way to the hospital.”

Ekeocha added that some youths in the area subsequently staged a demonstration, demanding that soldiers be withdrawn from the area.

“Unfortunately this is an area they say they don’t need military men and when things like this happen, they call us,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government has said it would no longer fold its hands while innocent people were being killed unnecessarily.

Governor Jonah Jang has therefore directed the STF, the Police and Operation Rainbow to investigate and bring those behind the act to justice.

According to statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Yiljap Abraham, the government condemned in strong terms the dastardly attacks on peaceful communities.