Gunmen have killed 21 persons in Baton and Rayogot, Heipang District, Barkin Ladi Local Government of Plateau State.

Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Movement (BYM), a socio-cultural group, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, August 10, 2023.

Tengwong said the attack on the communities occurred at about 1:26 a.m. on Thursday and left seven other persons with various degrees of injuries.

The BYM spokesperson, who decried the unprovoked attacks in some parts of the state, called on the government and security agencies to rise to the challenge and end arbitrary killings in the state.

He said: “21 persons have been killed in an attack in two different villages in Heipang District of Barkin Ladi.

“The attackers, who came around 1:26 a.m. killed 17 Persons at Batin of Heipang town while four others were killed at Rayogot.

“Seven other persons sustained various degrees of injuries.”

Tengwong, however, called on the residents of the communities to remain calm and be law-abiding.

In a reaction to the incident, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, condemned the attacks and called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.

Mutfwang’s condemnation of the act and order to security agencies was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPPA), Gyang Bere.