The dark cloud of death that has been stalking Plateau State thickened, Saturday, after Senator Gyang Dantong and the Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Gyang Fulani were killed while attending the mass burial of about 50 victims of Saturday’s attack on villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of the state.
The killing of the lawmakers came on the heels of the discovery, Saturday, of the remains of over 50 persons mostly women and children burnt inside the residence of a local pastor where they had taken refuge following the attack on about 14 villages by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Saturday.
The two lawmakers were reportedly gunned down at Maseh village in Riyom LGA where over 50 victims of Saturday’s attack were being buried. The gunmen reportedly stormed the venue and opened fire on those present, causing more deaths.
Member representing Barkin-Ladi/Riyom Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Simon Mwadkon was lucky as he escaped with injuries and was resuscitated at the Barkin-Ladi General Hospital where he was rushed to after he fainted.
Senator Dantong was the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP senator representing the Plateau North Senatorial District and was until his death yesterday, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health. The developments which sparked angry reactions across Plateau State was immediately flayed by the senate with Senate President David Mark describing the death as a personal loss. Senator Dantong’s colleagues in the Senate including Senate spokesman, Enyinnanya Abaribe; Senators Pius Ehwerido and Ifeanyi Okowa also paid tributes to a man they described as a gentleman.
Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the House of Representatives also joined in the condemnation of the killings, describing Senator Dantong as a man of peace whose death is highly regrettable.
The death of the 50 persons in the residence of the pastor of the Church of Christ in Nigeria at Maseh village was believed to have been the handiwork of the suspected Fulani herdsmen who were believed to have torched the house when they discovered that the people had taken refuge there.
The killing of the lawmakers sparked off angry reactions around the plateau as youths took over the highway to protest what they described as a genocide against the Berom people allegedly by the Fulani.
The angry reaction following yesterday’s killings forced many motorists travelling along the Jos-Riyom highway to turn back to avoid being caught in the disturbance.
The Permanent Secretary in charge of security in the Cabinet Office, Mr. Istifanus Gyang confirmed the killing of the two lawmakers.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Painter and sculptor B. Acheampong turning his passion for art into profitable venture
22 minutes -
Presidential lodge, RM residency in Ashanti region left to rot away
36 minutes -
Herty Corgie highlights the essence of gratefulness in ‘My Gratitude’
2 hours -
ANNOUNCEMENT: Joy FM temporarily goes off air January 11
3 hours -
Yango honored with two titles at the Technovation Africa Awards 2024
3 hours -
Aowin Traditional Council declares war on illegal mining with spiritual intervention
3 hours -
Leadership must ensure equity for all citizens, regardless of faith – Asiedu Nketiah
3 hours -
Prof. Alex Manu appointed Executive Director at Centre for Social Justice
3 hours -
Imminent changes within some key security agencies, state institutions, and its implications
3 hours -
There are more women than men, but there’s a man for every woman – Rev. Nana Yaa
4 hours -
Nii Kwei releases ‘The Praise Medley’, a celebration of God’s goodness
4 hours -
Mistakes in team composition can be costly, pray for us – Fifi Kwetey appeals to Ghanaians
4 hours -
Mahama forms 5-member Hajj task force to cut pilgrimage costs
4 hours -
Fuel shortage hits Sissala East and West Districts
5 hours -
President Mahama orders immediate probe into 2020 and 2024 election fatalities
5 hours