Plateau Market Attack: Bandits Kill Seven, Injure Many

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – Suspected bandits on Sunday afternoon attacked and killed not less than seven persons at a market in the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to reports that emerged on Monday within the affected community, the attack, which occurred at the Zurak Compani Market, also left several others injured.

Wase LGA, which is over 200 kilometers from Jos, the Plateau State capital, has in the recent past suffered several banditry attacks and kidnaps with the community enjoying a brief reprieve before last Sunday’s attack disrupted the peace in the area

Confirming the unfortunate incident, a youth leader in the community, Abdullahi Hussaini, said the bandits invaded the market at about 2 pm when business was at its peak and opened fire sporadically on both traders and visitors to the market, leading to the death of several people in the process.

Hussaini, while recounting the sad event, told some reporters who visited the area thus; “The gunmen arrived in the market in their numbers, riding on motorcycles. They started shooting sporadically, killing seven people instantly while many others were injured.

“The gunmen successfully launched the attack and fled without any resistance because people were not expecting any security threat at the moment. They later fled to the bush but police personnel have been deployed in the community to restore law and other.”

The youth leader pleaded with the government and security agencies to deploy more security in the area to prevent future occurrences, saying; “because we don’t know what may happen anytime soon.”

Also confirming the attack, the Spokesperson for the Plateau Police Command, Alfred Alabo, said contrary to reports in the media, four and not seven persons were killed during the unfortunate incident, adding; “We are aware of the Zurak Compani incident, Four persons died and six persons, who were injured, are receiving treatment.”

“Meanwhile, we have deployed our men to the area while the investigation continues”, Alabo said, assuring that the perpetrators of this dastardly act would soon be brought to book.