Nigeria Content Online

The Plateau State
Police Command has confirmed that five persons were killed in Kai
Village in Kura Falls in Barkin Ladi local government area when armed
militias invaded the village at about 9pm Sunday.

The police in a
statement, said the victims were of one family, adding “the deceased
include Iliya Bitrus, Marth Iliya, and Philip Bitrus.” According to the
bulletin, the other two are Kasia Iliya and Amazie Iliya.”

It added that
“nothing was stolen” and that “efforts are in top gear to apprehend the
fleeing suspects, as investigations into the case have commenced.”
Signed by the police public relations officer, Apev Jacob, the
statement also confirmed that on the same Sunday night, “Gohog village
in Vom district, Jos South local government area, was also invaded.” In
this case, the report claims one person, Douglas Jang, was killed while
37 cattle were rustled. “Efforts to trace and arrest the culprits are
on,” the report states further.

The state police
command has accordingly appealed that members of the public should feel
free to alert them of any suspicious movements.

“The command once
more reiterates its earlier appeal that members of the public should
always endeavour to volunteer information to security agencies on time
in respect of any movement of suspected persons in their domain for
appropriate action, as security business is a collective
responsibility.”

Reports, however,
revealed that the attackers were armed with guns and machetes. “At
about 2100 (2000 GMT), armed persons invaded Kai village, near Kura
Falls, and killed five people…similarly at the same time Gohog
village was also invaded, leaving one dead and 37 cattle rustled,” an
assistant superintendent, Apev Jacob, told reporters.

There have been
frequent clashes in villages around Jos since a series of bombs were
detonated during Christmas Eve celebrations in December, killing scores
of people.

Tensions are rooted in decades of resentment between indigenous
groups, who are vying for control of fertile farmlands and for economic
and political power, with migrants and settlers from the country’s
northern part.