Suspected Boko Haram attacks Plateau village, kills 4 as security flee duty post

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members last Saturday attacked Shonong village in Riyom local government area of Plateau state killing four people including two members of the state-owned security outfit, Operation Rainbow.

The village has been attacked severally by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in the last three and casualties are mostly women and children.



In the recent attack, the gunmen armed with sophisticated weapons took the villagers by surprise as they were said to have stormed the village at about 12 noon and a response to the distress call sent to the Operation Rainbow led to the death of its personnel as the gunmen overpowered and killed two of them.

The gunmen made away with rifles seized from men of the Security outfit and residents had fled the village to Riyom town, Headquarter of Riyom local government area.

A villager, Chundung Chollom who is also taking refuge in Riyom said, “The gunmen are Boko Haram and they have sacked the entire village. There are strong indication the gunmen will attack more villages so we are fleeing our homes with others from nearby villages.”
Combined security forces comprising of Operation Rainbow and Special Task Force, STF numbering about 40 armed men and two armored personnel carriers have also fled the village for fear of the terrorists.

The Member representing Riyom constituency, Mr. Daniel Dem lamented the situation saying, “the gunmen ransacked the place and took the belonging of the Security personnel away.
“The people are living in fear and nothing seems to be done to put an end to the attacks and killings in my constituency. I’m calling on relevant agencies to look into this thing and bring to an end the activities of these terrorists.”

When contacted, the spokesman of the STF, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha told Vanguard on phone, “what do you know that happened at Shonong? Let me check, if there is any update, I’ll let you know.”