Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, late Saturday night at about 11pm, attacked Chando Zerreci in Bassa Local Government of Plateau State and killed no fewer than 10 persons.
The gunmen launched the attack, which also left 19 persons injured, during the annual Irigwe ritual festival ‘Zerreci’ celebrated to usher in the rainy farming season.
Confirming the attack in a statement on Sunday in Jos, the National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Youth Movement, Comrade Lawrence Zongo, called on Federal Government to come to their rescue.
The statement reads: “The National Leadership of Irigwe Youth Movement(IYM) condemned the attack of the Irigwe people on her annual ritual festival ‘Zerreci’ the festival that will usher them into the rainy farming season.
“The group alleged that they were attacked by herdsmen late Saturday night at about 11pm at Chando Zerreci in Bassa Local Government of Plateau state”
Zongo noted that 10 persons were killed and 19 people survived gunshots wounds.
The 19 people that survived gunshots wounds are said to be undergoing medical treatment at Enos Hospital Miango while others are receiving treatment in Jos.
The statement added: “The Nigerian government has a responsibility to promote and protect human rights, including the right to life, and a duty to protect civilians from attacks by taking effective measures to prevent and deter attacks on the Rigwe people.
“The government must as a matter of urgency investigate the attack in Irigwe land and bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure families and other victims are adequately compensated.
“Brutal attacks on Rigwe communities are becoming rampant and frequent. This is unacceptable. The government must take more concrete steps to protect lives and property across Rigwe chiefdom and neighboring communities.”
Plateau police spokesman, Uba Ogaba, said the Command had mobilised armed personnel to the place to restore normalcy.
