A mass funeral in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State turned into a tragedy when armed gunmen opened fire on mourners, killing and injuring several people
Gunmen ambushed mourners at a mass funeral in the Nding Fan District of the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, resulting in numerous fatalities and numerous injuries.
According to reports, the victims were present at the funeral of seven people who had been killed in a previous community attack.
Sources said that the tragedy happened on Wednesday afternoon while the people assembled to perform the funeral rites.
It was reported that the attackers, who had been watching the ritual from nearby hills, suddenly stormed the neighborhood and started shooting at the mourners while they were excavating graves.
Journalist Masara Kim, an eyewitness, informed our correspondent over the phone that the attackers were attacking roughly five neighborhoods at once.
He claimed that when the attackers struck, the mourners had just dug a shallow grave, so they had to quickly bury the victims and run for their lives.
“There is an ongoing, massive attack on communities south of Jos,” he said. At the same time, more than five communities are being attacked. The attackers came out of the hills and started shooting while we were at the burial place.
He further mentioned that a guy was shot dead in front of him and that the assailants overpowered the local defenders, who had hunting rifles and homemade weapons.
The actual number of casualties could not be determined owing to the chaotic scenario, Kim said, adding that he barely escaped and that many locals fled the hamlet as the attackers neared.
When contacted, Rwang Tengwong, the press secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, called the situation “terrible” and stated that rescue attempts were in progress for those who were stranded in the area