Unknown gunmen kill six in Plateau attacks

Gunmen have stormed a drinking bar in a Plateau State village killing four people.
Two other persons were killed earlier.
The incident took place at about 8pm in Gindin Akwanti, Gashish district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area as the victims and others were enjoying the locally brewed drink, burukutu.
Plateau State has been in the grip of violent attacks, leading to the deaths of hundreds of people in what mainly are ethno-religious crises.
The five gunmen disappeared after firing at the people.
Eight people were hit by the bullets. One of them, Bitrus Chuwang, died instantly. The others were rushed to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital in Jos.
Those killed apart from Chuwang are: Mrs Serah Luka, Irimiya Damina and Ishaya Tanko . Those injured are: Yunana Daniel, Mabur Maren Makwin, Manyas Bala Dariyan, Horo Davou Dasong and Henry Irimiya Mangyet.
Barkin Ladi is about 50 kilometres from Jos, the state capital, a town that has endured violence at various times.
It was gathered that a week before the Sunday night attack, two persons were ambushed and killed by unknown gunmen in the community.
The two victims were said to be on their way from a nearby market at about 8pm when four assailants armed with machetes hacked them to death.
That attack took place in Dorong, a boundary village between Barkin Ladi Council and Mangu Council. The two victims, who hailed from Barkin Ladi, have been buried.
Barkin Ladi Local Government Chairman Emmanuel Loman, who confirmed the attack, said: “The attack took place in Gindi Akwanti and as I am talking to you now, three of the victims, including a lady, have been confirmed dead, the other four injured are receiving treatment right now.”
Loman said: “We now live at the mercy of unknown gunmen and this has continued for some time. We have pleaded and tried to make the environment peaceful but such killings have refused to stop, and I don’t know why.”
The spokesman of the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crises, Captain Salisu Mustapha, said “three suspects have been arrested in conection to the attack”.
Capt. Mustapha said: “The incident occurred at about quarter to 8pm last Sunday in Gindi Akwanti village where unknown gunmen opened fire on innocent people relaxing at a local joint.
“One of them died instantly and seven others were evacuated to Plateau Specialist Hospital. “Men of the STF have cordoned off the area and investigation has commenced on the attack. The area remains calm.”
Similar killings and attacks have been on in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas for over two years, despite the presence of the security task force.