No fewer than five people died, and three others were injured on Saturday during a fresh violence in Wase
Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Reports said gunmen numbering about 50 attempted to attack Kumbul village but met resistance from members of the Special Task Force in Plateau which killed five of the attackers.
Residents of Kumbul village said they also put up a spirited resistance to repel the attackers until they (attackers) ran away due to the superior gun battle with members of the STF.
The state government had set up a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to arrest the ugly trend which had claimed many lives in recent times.
The committee was in the zone and Wase in particular penultimate Wednesday and held a meeting with stakeholders in the local government where all warring groups agreed to sheathe thier swords. The committee equally visited other local government areas within the zone.
A resident of the village, Adamu Wase, who commended the STF for arriving the community at the nick of time, said the attackers, who were in groups, came from three different locations; behind Wase rock, from Kumbur area and from the river side.
“Thank God for the raining season, the river was flowing, so, they couldn’t cross, but the STF chased them back while we stayed back in town in case another group tried to come,” he said.
The chairman of Wase Local Government Area, Zakari Muhammed, who confirmed the attack on telephone, said “it is unfortunate that people keep making attempts to invade Wase town, despite all efforts to restore peace in the area.”
Also confirming the incident, the Media and Information Officer of the STF, Captain Salisu Mustapha, said “Kumbur village was attacked. The attackers intended to attack Wase town, but they were repelled by our troops. They burnt a few houses and looted properties, but one of them was killed.”
Captain Mustapha further said calm had returned to the area and that the STF was closely monitoring the situation.