Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herders have attacked some farmers in Plateau State four people were injured during the process.
Wakadaily reported that those victims had gone to their various farms in the Bachi community, Riyom Local Government Area before the gunmen attacked them.
Solomon Mwantiri, the President of the Berom Youths Moulders Association, confirmed the incident on Wednesday.
He said the attack took place on Tuesday afternoon and that the injured victims had been evacuated to the hospital and were currently receiving treatment.
He said, “At about 2: pm today, August 6, 2024, a group of over 20 well-armed Fulani attacked some natives of Lwa in Bachi District, Riyom LGA who were farming around the Seheng area of the village.
“As a result, four persons sustained varying degrees of injuries including one Caleb Bachen, who had a fracture in his hand”
One of the victims, Caleb Bachen who spoke from his hospital bed said, “I was at a different location from other farmers whom I heard them crying aloud for rescue from the gunfire that was all over the area.
“I never knew what was happening. On trying to run back home, some of the attackers holding arms, machetes, and sticks came after me and hacked me mercilessly despite repeated pleas.
“I screamed for help, and one man by the name Saddau, came and rescued me from the hands of the attackers whom I cannot figure out their number, but were more than 15. Other victims may know the actual figure”.
Another victim said, “We took permission from the Fulani some months ago before we went to cultivate our farms after many years of denial of access thereto.
“The Fulani started threatening us last week that we won’t be allowed to harvest our crops this year.
“So, while we were on our farms, I saw over 20 armed Fulani, who started shooting sporadically, chasing us away from the farmlands. Those carrying sticks beat and injured four of us, some of whom have been rushed for medical attention.”
Alabo Alfred, the Spokesman for the Plateau State Command, could not be reached when contacted on the incident as calls put to his mobile phone indicated that it was switched off.