Vigilant youths prevent bloodbath in Plateau village

Residents of Gyel in Jos South Local Government area of Plateau State were said to have had a sleepless night on Saturday as sounds of gun fire tore through the cold air of the restive community through out the night.

The incident came after weeks of interregnum in the war of attrition between Fulani herdsmen and the indigenous Berom community over grazing rights.


Our correspondent gathered that there were exchange of gunfire between some gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, and some vigilant youths in the community.

Although there was no reports of casualties, it was gathered that a group of men in army combat uniform had moved from Danchol area of Gyel and spread themselves around the community.

However their presence raised the suspicion of the youths who raised the alarm, prompting an exchange of gunfire between them and the suspected gunmen.

This was said to have prevented what would have been a bloodbath in the community.

Executive Director of Stefanos Foundation, a non governmental organisation, Mr. Mark Lipdo, told our correspondent in Jos on Sunday that through out the night, he was inundated with calls from residents of the community, who feared an invasion of their homes by some gunmen.