Barkin Ladi, Plateau State – A startling and heart-wrenching event unfolded as alleged gunmen wreaked havoc upon Heipang village, located within the Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau state. The assault, unfolding in the early hours of Thursday, August 10, around 1:00 am, led to the tragic demise of 21 individuals and inflicted critical injuries upon 13 others, who are presently receiving medical care at nearby medical facilities.
Operation Safe Haven, a multi-security task force entrusted with upholding tranquility in the region, has confirmed the harrowing occurrence. Captain Ola James, the spokesperson, disclosed that despite receiving advance alerts regarding a potential assault, the assailants managed to evade security checkpoints and unleashed a wave of violence upon the unsuspecting community. In a swift response, troops have been swiftly deployed to the affected vicinity with the aim of reinstating law and order.
Witnesses present at the scene shared chilling narratives of the calamity. John Mark Pam, a prominent figure within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and a sibling to one of the victims, recounted the heartrending instance when the attackers descended upon the village, mercilessly singling out his brother’s family and others. Similarly, the Dung Marks, a family comprising a young couple and their children, tragically became targets of the onslaught.
This appalling incident marks the second attack on Heipang village within a mere two months. Earlier in June 2023, two villagers lost their lives in a similar act of violence, underscoring the urgency of addressing the escalating security concerns.
Plateau state has witnessed an alarming rise in attacks on villages attributed to herdsmen in recent times, despite the visit of the Chief of Army Staff to the region. During the visit, the army chief had charged his forces with the responsibility of curbing the activities of marauding herdsmen. The persistence of such tragic events highlights the pressing need for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the state’s residents.
