About 103 corpses have reportedly been recovered after attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen on some communities in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria and what was described as counter attacks by locals as at Monday morning.
Plateau state police command spokesperson, ASP Mathias Tyopev, however stated that only 11 corpses have been recovered in the wake of the crisis.
Leaders in some of the communities attacked debunked this, saying that the military special task force has been trying to destroy evidence of the killings.
“One Col. Bello, who is the the STF PRO along other Military Personnel, have gone to Nyer village in Barkinladi where over 80 people were killed yesterday as well as other villages where people were killed forcing them to bury the corpses as the only condition for them to get assistance by way of medical treatment to those with injuries,” a community leader, Chimfom Ayuba alleges.
While commiserating with the people over the unfortunate incident, particularly in Xland, Gindin Akwati communities of Barkin Ladi Local Government area and Mangu Hale in Mangu local government, the Commissioner of Information and Communications in the state, Mr. Yakubu Datti, in a statement on Monday morning, said, Government is deeply pained that despite concerted efforts which had led to the restoration of relative peace across the state, some unpatriotic elements are bent on disrupting the gains so far made.
“Government condemns the attacks as it holds every single life as sacred hence it has mobilized medical and relief agencies to ameliorate the distressed.
“The Rescue administration is committed to ensuring a safe and secured environment that will guarantee peaceful coexistence among the various groups in the state as it remains resolute to the well being of all people,” the statement said.
Mr. Datti appealed to citizens not to take laws into their hands but should cooperate with security agencies to prevent further break down of law and order and to track perpetrators of the evil acts.
The curfew imposed on the state from 6:00pm to 6:00am is to continue.