Terrorists kill nine passengers, six others in Plateau attack

File photo: Illustration image of gunmen

No fewer than 15 people were killed in separate attacks by gunmen on communities in Jos South, Mangu and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State on Sunday night, with nine of the victims being passengers travelling to Jos.

The passengers were killed when suspected terrorists opened fire on their vehicle at Dungus community in Jos South Local Government Area, while other victims were killed in separate attacks in Mangu and Riyom.

Spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the Dungus attack to PUNCH Online via phone call in Jos on Monday, said the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on their vehicle.

He said, “The incident happened around 9.40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development, and we lament the loss of lives.”

According to him, some of the passengers sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospitals, where some later died.

“It was a vehicle carrying passengers to Jos. The attackers opened fire on them, and some of the victims were killed,” he said.

A resident of the community, Musa Dauda, also confirmed the attack, saying some of the injured passengers died while receiving treatment in hospital.

Dauda said, “Some of the passengers who were injured were taken to the hospital, but some of them died while receiving treatment. Others are still in the hospital receiving treatment.”

Meanwhile, in Mangu Local Government Area, suspected terrorists reportedly attacked Vodni in Pushit District during the night, killing two persons.

Four others sustained gunshot injuries in the attack and were receiving treatment at a hospital in Mangu town.

Also in Riyom Local Government Area, two persons were reportedly killed at Tahoos in a separate attack around the same period.

The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, and the Media Officer, Operation Enduring Peace, Chinonso Oteh, were yet to respond to enquiries sent by our correspondent on the incidents at the time of filing this report.