Not less than seven persons lost their lives while many others were injured after armed attackers, believed to be Fulani militants, invaded Kwi community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State late Friday night.
A resident of the community, Abel Gyang, confirmed the tragic incident, stating that the assailants stormed the area around 10:30 p.m., catching residents unaware as many had already retired for the night.
“It was a tragic night for us in Kwi,” Gyang recounted. “A large group of heavily armed attackers, numbering over 50, stormed the community. Our youths, who had formed a vigilante group for protection, were quickly overpowered. Once they were forced to retreat, the gunmen began firing indiscriminately, throwing the entire village into chaos. People fled in panic, with many escaping into nearby bushes and rocky areas to seek safety.”
He noted that seven lives were lost in the attack, with many others sustaining injuries. According to him, distressed residents placed several urgent calls to security agencies, but no help arrived.
Attempts to get a reaction from the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to his phone went unanswered at the time of filing this report.