- Nine injured, church, houses burnt in fresh Mangu attack
An 18-year-old boy, Kenneth Gyang, was killed yesterday by soldiers of Operation safe Haven, (OPSH), and one Emmanuel Daniel Pam, 38, injured during a burial procession at Maraban Jarma’a in the Jos South local government area.
A military patrol van parked near the checkpoint where a soldier allegedly opened fire on the burial party was burnt in a crisis that erupted after the shooting.
The Nation learnt that on arriving at the checkpoint yesterday morning, the soldiers insisted on carrying out their routine search on the vehicles used by the mourners, but the people resisted claiming they were in a hurry to bury the deceased.
One of the soldiers was said to have insisted that all the mourners should alight their vehicles, motorcycles and roll them across the checkpoint, an order the mourners resisted.
It was gathered that an argument which attracted people within the vicinity ensued and the unnamed soldier allegedly fired direct shots which killed Kenneth and injured Emmanuel.
The dispersed the enraged crowd, the soldiers were said to have released several gunshots into the air. Several persons were said to have sustained injuries in the melee that ensued while the military Hilux van parked nearby was also torched by irate youths.
The highway, which is close to the Police Staff College, was deserted for several hours as motorists abandoned the road to avoid being caught in the confusion.
Reacting to the Mararab-Jama’a unrest, the Berom Youths Moulder Association (BYM), confirmed that the teenager was killed and Kenneth injured by the bullets fired by the soldiers.
A statement signed by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengong, expressed disgust over what it termed unprovoked and avoidable attack.
“What is also baffling is that funeral processions have never had such confrontation or prohibition either by order or convention from the security agents at this or any other checkpoint in Jos and its environs.
“We condemn the arbitrary killing of an innocent Kenneth, a promising young man who had his precious and sacred life untimely terminated by an officer that ought to have guaranteed safety of lives and property of Nigerians, whose tax money are used for payment of security agents.
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“Worthy of mention herein is that some security agents stationed there registered their implied displeasure over what the officer did. Another unfortunate development is the destruction/burglaries of homes, church auditoriums, shops and property of people around the Mararaban-Jama’a after the tragedy. Also of concern are unguided and threatening statements by the officers as disclosed by members of the community that they will return for them in the night.”
investigation for the purpose of justice. Where the erring security agent is found culpable, he should be prosecuted accordingly.
“Similarly, the BYM calls for immediate payment of N100,000,000 only as compensation for the precious life lost, N10,000,000 only for the injured person and N100,000,000 compensation for properties destroyed.
“For the records, we are not unaware of the accompanying threats posed to the residents of Kuru, especially Vwei-Mararana Jama’a that there will be an invasion either this night or anytime soon. Should there be any attack carried on community in Kuru District or any part thereof, either now or in the future, the officers that perpetrated the shootings as well as those that were stationed at the checkpoint will be held responsible as we will not take this lightly.
“We call on our people to be calm and remain law abiding as we will legally follow the development to ensure justice is served. This does not take away our commendations and confidence on Sector 6 Commander, Col. Williams Ubi for his prompt response to distress calls whenever duties demand on him.”
Efforts to get reaction from the Plateau State Police Command’s spokesman, DSP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful, while the Media Officer of Operations Safe Haven, Captain James Oya, could not be reached as well.
Meanwhile, nine people were injured and seven buildings including the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) burnt by gunmen who invaded Jing Kombili in Panyam District, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State in renewed violence.
The incident occurred around 5pm on Sunday. The invaders were said to have opened sporadic fire as soon as they entered the community, forcing the villagers to flee in different directions.
A source who escaped the attack by whiskers narrated that after the people fled the village, the gunmen set ablaze seven houses, including a COCIN cathedral.
A community leader, Ibrahim Jonathan, who confirmed the incident, said the armed militias terrorised the community for more than two hours before they fled.