Tears, anguish as Plateau buries 16 victims of herdsmen attacks

Sixteen corpses of those who were killed last Wednesday by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Yelwa Zangam community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State were buried yesterday amid tears and anguish.

Sunday Sun learned that procession with the bodies of the victims, which commenced at about 7:30am yesterday morning from the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) to the burial ground at the Zangam community, was peaceful and full of sober reflection.

Relations of the deceased, who cried and wailed in utter disbelieve as they watched the bodies of their parents, women, children and grandparents lowered into the grave.

Among the 16 corpses buried, five were members of the same family who were butchered and killed by the Fulani bandits.

Sadly, 17 corpses roasted like goats were buried on Wednesday morning shortly after the killings took place.

Of this number, 12 were members of the same family who were lucked up in one room, killed and set ablaze.

Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, expressed displeasure over the mass killings and urged Christians in the state to defend themselves.

He called for calm and urged the youths to conduct themselves in a peaceful man- ner and channel their energy towards protecting their communities.

Ateker Pada Bitrus, who escaped narrowly, lost nine members of his family.

Bitrus recounted his horrible experience in pains as he described the violence unleashed on the community as preventable.

Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Youth Wing, Pharm Mark Moses, urged government to rise up to its constitutional responsibility of protecting and defending defenceless citizens.

He said there was need for government and security agencies to prevent future at- tacks in any parts of the state.

(Sunday Sun)