The Plateau State Government on Sunday imposed a 24-hour curfew in some parts of the state and also deployed soldiers to the affected areas, following the violent clash between Fulani herdsmen and community dwellers which led to the death of a federal Senator and a state lawmaker.
The late Senators, Gyang Dantong, who represented Plateau North, and Majority Leader of Plateau House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani were killed on Sunday while attending the mass burial of villagers murdered on Saturday by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Pam Ayuba, spokesman for the Plateau state’s governor who confirmed the incident, said Misters Dantong and Fulani among several others were gunned down by fulani herdsmen shortly after attending the mass burial for the victims of Saturday’s raid.
After the burial, the officials went to a reception at the home of another local leader in the state’s Gashis district, roughly 90 kilometres (56 miles) from the capital Jos, Mr Ayuba said.
“The Fulani herdsmen raided the house…they shot (the politicians) and some others but the key people who lost their lives are the senator and the majority leader,” he said.
Mr Ayuba said that he did not know the total number of casualties.
Another federal lawmaker “escaped death by a whisker,” he added.
The local government affected by the curfew are Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos North and Jos South.
The death of the politicians is reported to have led to reprisal killings along Barkin Lardi Riyom expressway, where motorists were caught unawares. Several commuters were reportedly killed by mobs.
In Jos, the state capital, at least four people were killed in reprisal attacks in front of Senator Dantong’s home on St-Finbarrs road.
