Tension gripped parts of Plateau State on Wednesday as gunmen attacked mourners during a mass burial in Nding Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, leaving many feared dead and several others injured.
The victims were said to have gathered to bury seven persons earlier killed in a separate attack on the community before the assailants struck.
Sources said the attackers, who allegedly laid siege from surrounding hills, stormed the burial ground in the afternoon and opened fire on grieving residents as they dug graves.
An eyewitness, identified as Masara Kim, who spoke via telephone, said the attack formed part of a wider assault on multiple communities in the area.
He disclosed that at least five communities south of Jos were simultaneously under attack at the time of the incident.
According to him, the mourners were forced to abandon the burial rites midway as gunshots rang out, compelling them to hastily inter the corpses and flee for safety.
“There is a large-scale attack ongoing. While we were at the burial site, the gunmen emerged from the hills and began shooting. People ran in different directions,” he said.
Kim added that a man was killed in his presence, noting that local vigilantes armed with rudimentary weapons were unable to repel the attackers.
He further stated that he narrowly escaped the assault, while many residents deserted their homes as the gunmen advanced.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of casualties remained unclear due to the confusion that trailed the нападение.
Also reacting, the Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, described the situation as dire, saying rescue efforts were ongoing to assist those trapped in the affected communities.
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