The Special Task Force (STF) in Plateau State has announced the arrest of four persons that are being interrogated in connection with the recent killings in Riyom Local Government Area of the state.
This was made known in a statement by the spokesman of the Task Force, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, who also warned that they would go to every length in fishing out the perpetrators of the crimes and appealed to warring factions to embrace dialogue and genuine forgiveness for lasting peace in the state.
“On Monday, 15th April, 2013 at about 11:30pm, gunmen attacked Dakum village in Riyom Local Government Area, killing eight villagers and injured one, adding that, another two people were also ambushed and killed between Jol and Tanjol villages of Riyom Local Government.
“On Wednesday, 17th April, around 1:30 p.m. another group of cows were attacked between Tanjol, Rim and Gilgare settlements. 19 cows were killed and six sustained gunshots wounds. Also at about 11:50 p.m., a concurrent attack was carried out on Tashek and Jol settlements and the assailants killed seven people and burnt some houses.”
Mustapha pointed out that the attacks were reprisals for the killings of cows in the areas on 14th and 17th April, adding that the STF had restored normalcy to the affected communities.