Two killed as gunmen block highway, burn vehicles loaded with passengers, cows

No fewer than two persons are reported killed in a renewed attack by gunmen along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

Two vehicles, loaded with no fewer than 20 cows, were said to been burnt by the gunmen with the cows and passengers inside.

The cows were roasted to death and seven persons injured.

The Eagle Online gathered that some of injured persons are receiving treatment at Bingham Teaching Hospital, popularly known as Jankwano, in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

The Vice Chairman of the Cattle Traders Association of Nigeria, Bukuru chapter, Plateau State, Alhaji Dauda Adams, has lamented the continuous attacks on its members in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

Adams disclosed that the attackers had blocked the main road, shooting sporadically, resulting in the killing of two passengers, while others escape with injuries.

He said: “Over 500 people have been killed on the highway by suspected gunmen but the major concern now is the problem of  burning passengers, including animals inside two trucks traveling to Abuja.

“The people came from a far and bought animals at Bukuru Cattle Market.

“Few hours later, we got report that they were attacked around Hawa-kibo.

“We reported the incident to the Plateau State Police Command.

“The Commissioner of Police, Nasiru Oki, directed the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Bukuru Division to go to the scene of the attack.

“When we got there, we saw the two vehicles burnt with the animals inside.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to ensure that the safety of our members is guaranteed as this is very important and we also appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to provide us with effective security network to check the activities of miscreant on  highway.”

Adams called on Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State to put in place measures that will help in addressing the destruction of lives and property of their members in the state.