by Isi Esene

After the attack on several villages in Barkin Ladi over the weekend which led to the death of several people including a senator, Gyang Dantong, the Special Task Force (STF) through its spokesman, Colonel Salisu Mustapha had assured residents of the safety of lives and property.

Mustapha told reporters they have been able to neutralise 21 of the gunmen and the situation is under control.

However, the chairman of Barkin Ladi local government, Emmanuel Loman, disputed the claim made by the STF, insisting gunmen were still shooting from behind the hills and rocks.

Loman said: “The challenge now is that of adequate security. The security men available are not enough to secure the villages, and the gunmen are still lurking around.

On Tuesday, his claim was proved right as two more villages in Barkin Ladi LGA have been reported attacked. An attack which reduced the villages to rubble.

The attack was confirmed by Daniel Dem, a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly representing  Riyom Constituency.

Speaking to the Vanguard Newspapers, he said: “I can authoritatively confirm to you that as I am talking to you now, the same gunmen from the top of the mountains have attacked two more villages, Tse and Shong.”

He said, “the villagers were scared and they ran out of their houses and the gunmen set their houses ablaze rendering them homeless and increasing the number of displaced people”.

It’s almost like a nation at war.