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The Attack in Plateau State that claimed 27 lives; Buhari calls it madness too far, instructs Military to stem reprisal attacks

The people of Nkyie-Doghwro community of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State have been thrown into grief as they hold a mass burial for 27 out of the 29 persons killed by suspected Herdsmen in the early hours of yesterday.

According to the President, Irigwe Development Association, Sunday Abdu, the victims were hacked to their death in a classroom under the watch of soldiers and around the time that a curfew was in effect within the State.

“Twenty-seven out of the 29 people were buried in one grave. We later found two other dead bodies. It is worrisome because the 27 people already buried were murdered in a classroom, given security cover by soldiers, where they supposedly sought refuge,”

Speaking in Jos on Monday evening at the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ press centre, Mr Abdu condemned the killings and lamented that a total of seven communities have been attacked within one month with 41 reported deaths.

In response to the allegations of military involvement in the killings, the Commander of the Special Military Taskforce, codenamed Operation Safe Haven, deployed to restore law and order in Plateau State, promised to investigate the matter.

He said, “Soldiers have been sent to the headquarters of the OPSH for a proper investigation on how the attack took place in the village under their watch, especially when curfew was imposed in the village and there was supposed to be restriction on movement.”

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killings, saying he received the news with deep sadness and regret. He said the attack which has been termed a reprisal perpetuated by suspected herdsmen was a very painful one.

Mr. Buhari said, in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, that he believes the madness has gone too far. Mr. Shehu said that the President has instructed the military and the police to bring the violence to an end and to also draw up a plan to ensure that there are no further attacks or reprisals by one group against another.

The President also commiserated with the Governor and people of Plateau State, and with those who have lost a loved one, friend or family member in the attack.

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