Five villagers and one assailant were killed in an attack on Kumbur village, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Saturday.
Muhamadu Zakari, the Chairman of Wase Local Government Area, who confirmed the attack and the killings, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Jos, the Plateau capital, on Sunday that the attackers also injured several others.
Captain Salisu Mustapha, the Media Officer of the Special Task Force, who also confirmed the attack, said that the STF personnel, who rushed to scene of the attack, killed one the fleeing assailants.
Mustapha, however, said that he was not sure of the number of casualties among the villagers.
He said that Zakari was “a reliable source” in ascertaining how many people were affected by the violence.
Mustapha said that the attackers had wanted to use the village route to launch a heavy attack on Wase, adding that they were, however, repelled by men of the STF.
He added that peace had been restored to the affected area.
Zakari, who condemned the attack, wondered how the attack was possible “in spite of the heavy presence of security men in the area”.
He described the incident as “most unfortunate” since stakeholders had been deliberating on how to end the lingering hostilities.
“We only pray that God will intervene in this matter while we do everything humanly possible to restore lasting peace in the area,” he said.
When contacted, Felicia Anselm, the Police Public Relations Officer in Plateau State, said that she had not been fully briefed on the incident.
“As soon as I get the full details, I shall get back to you,” Anselm told NAN.
NAN, however, reports that Wase and other parts of Plateau South have become theatres of protracted violence, as rival communities persistently attack each other in guerrilla-style attacks usually carried out at night.
NAN recalls that the STF Commander, Major General Emmanuel Ayoola, met with stakeholders last Monday where affected communities discussed the persistent violence and pledged to work toward peace.
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