The Secretary to the Plateau State Government, Samuel Jatau on Sunday, April 6, said he just had a test of what communities in the state have been facing in the hands of terrorists who attack them indiscriminately.
Speaking after his convoy was ambushed in Bokkos Local Government Area of the state, Jatau who narrowly escaped the ordeal said the destruction caused by the terrorists is unacceptable.
Jatau had visited Bokkos LGA for an assessment of the attacks on various communities in Plateau state by the terrorists.
However, his convoy was attacked by gunmen possibly planning a fresh attack in the area near the Hurti community in the Monguna district.
Narrating his experience, Jatau said he was just on his phone when he suddenly heard gunshots.
“I lack words to express my sorrow and anger. We just tested what these communities are feeling. We were almost ambushed. I was looking at my phone in the car when I suddenly heard gunshots. When I looked up, I saw two young men running into the bush, armed with guns.
“We saw the destruction firsthand. Over 40 people were killed, homes were destroyed, and entire livelihoods were wiped out. The terrorists looted essential goods like 26 bags of potatoes worth N80,000 each from one home. These are peasant farmers; how do they recover from this? We must do better than this as a country,” Jatau said.
It was however gathered that the attackers were overpowered by superior firepower from the SSG’s security prompting them to retreat into the bush.