Twelve people have been reported killed in a renewed attack in Plateau State and five villages sacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen in midnight raids in Riyom Local Government Area of the state.
The suspected assailants, who are believed to be Fulani herdsmen, in the early hours of Friday night, attacked a settlement, killing 10 villagers and a security personnel said to be a soldier.
They also set houses ablaze.
Reports put the total number of persons brutally killed by the suspected Fulani terrorists in four villages in Bachit District of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State at 12 apart from the soldier.
Sources revealed that the four villages were attacked simultaneously at about 1am by the Fulanis who mobilized themselves against the locals.
It was learnt that the natives were taken unaware by the suspected terrorists who also burnt Houses belonging to the victims
Eyewitness told The Eagle Online that over 500 people were displaced as a result of the attack.
Those affected were mostly women and children, while others have fled the communities for fear of another possible attack.
The Majority Leader and member representing Riyom Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Daniel Dem, confirmed the attack.
Dem said nine people were killed in the simultaneous attacks carried out by the Fulani herdsmen in Riyom Local Government Area.
He said they burnt several houses, including that of late Senator Gyang Dantong.
He said though normalcy has been restored as a result of intervention of the operatives of the Special Task Force, he called for adequate security measures in the affected communities to enable the villagers continue with their normal activities.
Dem also called on the National Emergency Management Agency to assist the victims with relief materials to cushion the effect of the attack.
The spokesman of the Special Task Force, Captain Iwehe Ikedichi, confirmed that there was an attack in Riyom Local Government Area.
Ikedichi however said he was yet to get the details of the attack.