Christmas was not merry for Kidan Ado, a Plateau State community, attacked by gunmen on Sunday, in a manner similar to what took place about a year ago. ISAAC SHOBAYO writes:
Despite security measures put in place by the security agencies and the Plateau State Government for a blissful Christmas and New Year celebration, rampaging gunmen in parts of the state struck again on Sunday, December 22, in Kidan Ado community of Kanawuri chiefdom in Riyom Local Government Area of the state and snuffed lives out of 15 residents of the community. The said murder was, according to eyewitnesses, done in a most cruel and barbaric manner.
Earlier, in a bid to prevent a repeat of the 2023 episode of Christmas Eve massacre, where over 100 persons were killed in some Plateau State communities, an emergency State Security Council meeting presided over by Governor Caleb Muftwang, was held. During the meeting, various security measures were taken for a hitch-free yuletide season.
This was consequently followed by a stakeholders’ meeting comprising religious leaders, community leaders and youth leaders with the Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, where far-reaching decisions were taken on how to ensure Christmas and new festivities without bloodshed.
Apart from the deployment of police to all the 17 local government areas of the state to ensure that there were no threats to the peace currently being enjoyed in the state, the Command, after due consultation with management team and critical stakeholders within the state, placed restrictions on certain activities from December 23, 2024 to January 3, 2025 in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, and Mangu Local Government Areas. The activities include: night grazing by herders, night farming by farmers, late-night operation of beer parlours and night mining activities. Operation of commercial motorcycles (Okada) was also stopped. The restrictions were to be in force between the hours of 6pm and 6am daily.
The command also announced to the general public that there will be a ban on the activities of commercial tricycles, also known as ‘Keke Napep,’ within the Jos Bukuru Metropolis on the 25th and 26th of December, and on the 1st of January, 2025. He also reiterated that the total ban on the activities of commercial motorcycles still remained in force.
But while the security agencies were trying to consolidate on the prevailing peace, the rampaging gunmen struck on Sunday, about 48 hours to Christmas, at Ari Adoh in the Riyom Local Government Area, killing 15 persons including a pregnant woman and a one-year-old baby.
A survivor who did not want his name in print told Nigerian Tribune that the heinous crime was perpetuated by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias who have been terrorising the local government, adding that the way and manner the attack was launched and the language spoken throughout the operation depicted their identity.
It was learnt that the people of the community who were longing for a blissful Christmas and New Year celebration were taken aback when the gunmen in their large number swooped on them at about 10:45 pm on Sunday when most of the residents had retired to bed.
According to an eyewitness who simply identified himself as Anthony, the assailants rode into the community on motorcycles and went on a shooting spree to announce their arrival, adding that some residents, on hearing the gunshots, ran into the bush while others remained indoors for fear of being ambushed.
The eyewitness further disclosed that some of the victims were killed in their homes, while a few others who attempted to run away were gunned down. He added that the community was under siege for close to two hours.
He said, “We made several attempts to alert the security agencies, but the network was bad. This further gave the marauders opportunity to unleash terror for as long as they could. When the security men finally arrived, they had disappeared into the bush.”
The National Publicity Secretary, Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Samuel Jugo, expressed shock that the attack occurred just two days after the state police command announced the deployment of officers to five local government areas, including Riyom, to bolster security during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
He stated that the troops from Operation Safe Haven responded to the incident, but unfortunately, the assailants had already caused significant damage before their arrival, adding that the victims of the attacks were natives of Irigwe, from the Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Jugo said, “According to reports from our emissary, the following individuals were killed: Dauda Arabo (48), Hassana Wula (52), Basuna Moses (22), Faith Basuna (19), Laraba Randi (18), Danlami Gado (50), Moses Yakubu (48), Azumi Moses (13), Talatu Hassan (42), Chama Ernest (20), Agumo Monday (20), Sheba Ernest (1), Mary Stephen (33), and Isere Moses (3).
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“Linda Moses (32), who sustained severe injuries, is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed location. It is heartbreaking that we have lost our people, with whom we had hoped to celebrate the upcoming festive season. Their lives have been tragically cut short.”
Apart from those injured, the dead were given mass burial on Monday amidst wailing by residents of the community who thronged the venue of the burial.
Chairman of Riyom Local Government Hon Sati Shuwa, along with his deputy Hon Gwong Song and Secretary Hon. Abraham Tongjing, who attended the mass burial of the 15 persons killed, including a pregnant woman and one-year-old child, strongly condemned the incident, saying that it was unfortunate that some elements could inflict such a pain on people barely 48 hours to Christmas.
Shuwa said with the evidence on the ground and the visit of the GOC to the scene, drastic measures would be taken to arrest the perpetrators.
Also, the first-class traditional ruler of Ganawuri Chiefdom, Ata Aten HRH Yakubu Chaiman, and the National President of the Ateng Development Association, Clement Chup, also condemned the killings.
A source close to the community told the Nigerian Tribune that the residents eventually celebrated Christmas on a low key due to the murder of their kinsmen while a chunk of them relocated to Jos, the state capital and other neighbouring towns for fear of further attacks.
