Suspected herders attack farmers in Plateau, injure four

Gunmen suspected to be herders have attacked some farmers in Plateau State injuring four persons in the process.

It was learnt that the victims had gone to their farms in the Bachi community, Riyom Local Government Area when the gunmen attacked them.

The President of the Berom Youths Moulders Association, Solomon Mwantiri  confirmed the incident to The PUNCH in Jos on Wednesday

He said  the attack took place on Tuesday afternoon and that the injured victims had been evacuated to the hospital and were currently receiving treatment

He said, “At about 2: pm today, August 6, 2024, a group of over 20 well-armed Fulani attacked some natives of Lwa in Bachi District,  Riyom LGA who were farming around the Seheng area of the village.

“As a result,  four persons sustained varying degrees of injuries including one Caleb Bachen, who had a fracture in his hand”

One of the victims, Caleb Bachen who spoke from his hospital bed said, “I was at a different location from other farmers whom I heard them crying aloud for rescue from the gunfire that was all over the area.

“I never knew what was happening. On trying to run back home, some of the attackers holding arms, machetes, and sticks came after me and hacked me mercilessly despite repeated pleas.

“I screamed for help, and one man by the name Saddau, came and rescued me from the hands of the attackers whom I cannot figure out their number, but were more than 15. Other victims may know the actual figure”.

Another victim said, “We took permission from the Fulani some months ago before we went to cultivate our farms after many years of denial of access thereto.

“The Fulani started threatening us last week that we won’t be allowed to harvest our crops this year.

“So, while we were on our farms, I saw over 20 armed Fulani, who started shooting sporadically, chasing us away from the farmlands. Those carrying sticks beat and injured four of us, some of whom have been rushed for medical attention.”

The Spokesman for the Plateau State Command, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached when contacted on the incident as calls put to his mobile phone indicated that it was switched off