Sunday, May 6, 2012

Herdsmen block Abuja-Jos road, waylay passengers

Passengers travelling to and fro Jos to Abuja on Saturday had a rough deal as they were terrorised by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen who took over the road.
The herdsmen were said to have blocked the road after Sop and Hawan Kibo in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Although no person was reported killed, many passengers were said to have either turned back or ran into the bush to escape the attack of the herdsmen.
Executive Director, Stefanos Foundation, Mr. Mark Lipdo, told our correspondent on Sunday that he received many calls for help from passengers who were trapped on the road.
He said some policemen went to the area two hours after the hoodlums had left.
Lipdo, who said the herdsmen burnt houses in Sop and Hawan Kibo, described the siege as a dangerous trend in the war being waged by Fulani herdsmen on Berom communities.
“I received many calls from passengers and motorists that some Fulani were shooting people on the road. The callers said there were no security men around. I had sent text messages to security agencies that these areas are vulnerable, but no action was taken.”
Lipdo said in the last one week, the attack in Riyom by suspected Fulani herdsmen had resulted in the death of 10 people, while 10 others were injured. He added that 40 houses were burnt, a developmen that left hundreds of persons desplaced.
He called for security reinforcement along the road and surrounding villages.
A passenger on the road, Mr. John Haruna, described the attack as unfortunante, saying it was well coordinated.
He said, “It is very sad to see how the villages were being attacked. Yesterday (Saturday), I almost became a victim.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Dabai, who confirmed the attack, said nobody was killed.
He said, “We were able to clear the road as soon as we received the information and right now there is no danger to the travelling public.”

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