Task Force Parades 163 SuspectsTWENTY-FIVE people who died during Thursday's mayhem in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State were given mass burial yesterday. It was supervised by a councilor in Barkin Ladi Government Area, Mr. Pam Choji Pam whose four children were massacred during the violence.The place was almost deserted as only stern looking security personnel were seen around because of the curfew. The Special Task Force (STF) paraded the arrested 163 suspects of the mayhem.Addressing journalists yesterday, STF spokesman, Captain Charles Ekeocha, said of the 163 arrested, six of have already been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for killing Police Inspector, Dalyop Pinda, his wife and daughter during the disturbances.Ekeocha said when Barkin Ladi boiled on Thursday when youths on both divides engaged themselves in a fight to finish, 10 main culprits who were arrested with deadly weapons were separated from those who were just fighting with daggers, knives, cutlasses, swords, bows, arrows and spears.According to Ekeocha, weapons recovered from the hoodlums include one telescopic barrel rifle, four single barrel guns, two AK 47 rifles, nine locally made guns, two magazines for AK 47 rifle, 52 7.62mm special bullets, three 7.62mm NATO bullet and 46 pieces of cartridges. Other weapons recovered are 55 machetes, 61 arrows, three bows, six iron rods, 26 knives, seven diggers, 12 axes, 12 spears and 11 catapults.He said the immediate cause of the violence started on Sunday, November 20 when 20 cows were rustled by the natives, adding that the STF was able to recover them and later returned to the Fulani herdsmen who owned the rustled cows.'The suspected Fulani, because we did not see them, attacked and killed three Berom youths. The following day, seven Hausa/Fulani were killed by the Berom. That was what happened. That was what we can say was the immediate cause of the rift.'On the 24-hour curfew imposed, Ekeocha said he would go there and assess the level of compliance and see if the need arises to review it, but was quick to add that it could be indefinite.Reacting to the incident, Governor Jonah David Jang through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Pam Ayuba, who addressed Journalist at the scene, said the governor received the news with shock, especially after efforts had being made by governments at all levels for lasting peace in the state.'Government condemns it in totality; we believe this is an act of pure provocation and we will not relent in trying to pursue the path of peace and people in all parts of the state should be vigilant particularly now that we are approaching the festive period. Enemies of the state take undue advantage of the period to cause mayhem,' he said.Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Loman condemned the attack and said despite concerted efforts by both the state and the local governments to stop the killings, enemies of the state are still bent on causing havoc.'This issue is worrisome particularly in Barkin Ladi LGA. Last week, we held a security meeting with the Police Commissioner, the Fulani elders, the Hausa representatives, the indigenes, the Yoruba and Igbo representatives from the LGA and we agreed that let bygones be bygones. We agreed that we were going to live together. I believe that some people are bent on creating havoc others and I warn them to stop,' he said.
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