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Gunmen kill 10, injure 19 at Plateau festival

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Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militants have invaded Bassa Local Government during a cultural festival, killing 10 persons and injuring 19 others in Plateau State.

The incident occurred as the people of Irigwe ethnic nationality of the state were celebrating Zerreci.

Zerreci is an annual festival meant to usher in the rainy/farming season.

The hoodlums were said to have stormed the ritual ground in Chando Zerreci community and killed the victims.

The National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Youth Movement, Lawrence Zongo, confirmed the killings to newsmen in Jos on Sunday.

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He said the incident happened about 11 pm on Saturday.

Zongo said, “Tragedy struck in our land as our people were attacked and killed again; this time, during our annual ritual festival, Zerreci.

“We were attacked by Fulani militants usually referred to by government authorities as unknown gunmen on April 2, 2022, around 11pm at the ritual ground, Chando Zerreci, in Bassa LGA.

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“Ten people were killed and 19 survived gunshots; they are undergoing treatment at the Enos Hospital, Miango, while others have been moved to Jos.”

The youth leader recalled that last month, 10 people were killed in Rigwe villages as houses and food crops were destroyed.

He beckoned on the state and federal governments to rise up to their responsibility of protecting lives and property.

“The Nigerian government has a responsibility to promote and protect human rights, including the right to life, and a duty to protect civilians from attacks by taking effective measures to prevent and deter attacks on the Rigwe people,” he added.

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The State Police Public Relations Officer, Ubah Ogaba, said the command had deployed operatives in the community.

Ogaba added; “Investigation into what really happened during the incident in Bassa is ongoing, but the situation is calm as our men have been deployed in the area.”

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