A day after suspected herdsmen attacked Shonong Village in Riyom Local Government of Plateau State, 33 people were given mass burial on January 7, 2014, Tuesday, amid wailing by friends, sympathisers and family members.
The number of the people buried in the town on Tuesday, punctured the claim by the Special Task Force (STF) on security in the state which on Tuesday faulted media that no fewer than 30 persons were killed in the village by heavily armed gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
The STF had said 16 people were killed in the broad day attack while five persons were injured.
Shortly after the mass burial, the community leader, Mr. Ilya Vomagai, said the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapon arrived the community on Monday at about 9 a.m. when most of the able-bodied men had gone to farm.
He said the armed men descended on the people around, most of whom were aged people, women and children and massacred them.
"The attackers had a field day and equally burnt some of those killed beyond recognition. The attack lasted for three hours but was later repelled by men of the STF," Mr. Illiya said.
According to the Punch, three more bodies were uncovered in a bush by the villagers.
It would be noted that Government of Plateau state decried Monday's attack on Shonong village, describing the incident as regrettable, urging the security agencies in the state to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Via: Punch
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