US condemns killings in Plateau

- The United States has condemned the
attack on 86 people in Plateau state

- The US government said it is concerned
by the recent increase in armed violence
against civilians in middle belt Nigeria

- The US has also sent its condolences
To the affected community.


The US has strongly condemned the
attacks in Plateau in which no fewer
than 86 people were killed and several
others injured.
The US in a statement by Heather
Nauert, spokesperson for the US
Department of State, said the
perpetrators of the attacks should be
brought to justice.
“The United States condemns in the
strongest possible terms the killing of
civilians and destruction of property in
Nigeria’s Middle Belt region over thee Wekend.


“We are concerned by the recent increase
in armed violence against civilians and
call on all political and community
leaders to lend their voices to peace and
to work together to find lasting solutions
to these rural conflicts.
“We join President Buhari and others in
sending our deepest condolences to the
affected communities, and in the desire
to see the perpetrators brought to justice
and to prevent further violence," Nauert
said.

According Terna Tyopev, the public
relations officer of the Police Command
in Plateau, 50 houses, two cars and 15
motorcycles were burnt in the attacks
by herders.
The herdsmen were reported to have
invaded Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and
Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District
in Barkin Ladi local government area
where the deaths occurred.

The Plateau government has imposed a
dusk to dawn curfew in Riyom, Barkin
Ladi and Jos South local government

areas following the attacks.

President Muhammadu Buhari
condemned the attacks, describing the
incident as “very painful and
regrettable," and warned that the
government would not rest until the
assailants were brought to justice.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that Miyetti
Allah Cattle Breeders Association of
Nigeria (MACBAN) gave reasons why
herdsmen attacked mourners in Plateau
state, killing over 120 people and
causing serious injuries to hundreds
others.

The chairman, north central zone of the
organisation, Danladi Ciroma, who
condemned the attacks, however,
claimed the people were killed in
retaliation to the killings of about 300
cows belonging to the herdsmen.
National Day of Mourning for Victims of

Violent Killings Across Nigeria