Dare Babalola
At least seven people were killed and three others critically injured in a brutal attack on Sunday night in Ratatis community, Dorowa Babuje district, Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State.
Albert Dung, a community resident, told Daily Post on Monday morning that bandits, suspected Fulani militias, attacked the area around 7:30pm, shooting sporadically, setting houses and farmlands ablaze.
“The attackers who were Fulani bandits, invaded the Ratatis community in Dorowa Babuje at about 7:30pm and shot sporadically, killing seven people instantly while there others were critically injured and were later rushed to a hospital,” Dung said.
He said a security alert had warned of an impending invasion before the attack, and calls were made to the Barkin Ladi Sector Command of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), but the distress calls were ignored.
“Before the attack, there was a warning alert and calls were made to the Barkin Ladi Sector Command of the Operation Enduring Peace but they refused to respond to the calls.
“As a result of that, the bandits had a field day and operated for several hours unchecked,” he stated.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, who also confirmed the attack in a brief statement on Monday, called on security operatives to step up their game to protect rural communities against future attacks.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the entire Berom community during this dark time,” Tengwong added.
