THREE KILLED, 16 WOUNDED IN PLATEAU CHURCH ATTACK

The peaceful atmosphere that pervaded the Christmas celebration in
Plateau State was shattered on Wednesday when two persons were
reportedly killed while 16 others were wounded when a group of gunmen
invaded the Church of Christ in Nations on the eve of the New Year at
Maiakworigold Maikatako village in Bokkos Local Government Council of
Plateau State.
One other person was said to have been killed in Manguna area of
Bokkos Local Government of the state in the early hours of Wednesday.
The gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, were said to have stormed
the COCIN Church Maiakworigold Maikatako and started shooting
sporadically. The two people were killed on the spot while the 16
people sustained various degrees of injuries in the ensuing stampede.
The third victim in Manguna area of the same local council area was
said to have been killed by the retreating gunmen.
One of the eyewitnesses, Mr. Augustine Bim, told newsmen that during
the service to usher in the New Year, some gunmen stormed the church
and started to shoot at different directions.
He said that the casualties were recorded when the worshippers started
escaping through various directions.
Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Titus Alams, who
confirmed the incident, described it as unfortunate.
Alams, who is the member representing Bokkos State constituency, said
that five of the victims were currently on admission at the Plateau
State Specialist Hospital.
He said they were in a stable condition while 11 people were receiving
treatment at Barkin Ladi General Hospital.
While commending the security operatives for their prompt response,
he also urged them to do everything possible to fish out the
perpetrators of this act.
He said, "This latest incident is regrettable because we have been
doing a lot to sustain the current peace we are enjoying in the state.
We are appealing to security agents to do everything in their power to
fish out those responsible for this heinous crime against humanity."
Alams appealed to the youths of Bokkos to remain calm and not to take
the law into their own hands. He also urged them to report any
suspicious movement to law enforcement agents in their area.
While reiterating the importance of safeguarding themselves against
further attacks, the Speaker urged the people to avoid making
themselves vulnerable to attack by congregating in large numbers at
any point at night.