A survivor from the Tuesday night attack in Heipang District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Philimon Pwajok, has narrated how the attackers mercilessly slaughtered the victims, including children as young as six years old.
Pwajok, who spoke to DAILY POST on Thursday, said he managed to escape death when he went into the bush to defecate at the time the marauders invaded the community and killed 13 people.
He said he was still in the bush when he heard sporadic gunshots and decided to hide among the rocks until they had finished the attack. When he finally came out after they had gone, he saw dead bodies littered all over.
“I was in the bush defecating that night when I heard the first gunshots,” Pwajok said.
“At first, I thought the gunshots were from soldiers because there were stories that we could be attacked, and I thought the gunshots were warning shots by soldiers.
“My initial thought was to go out and see what was happening, but when the shots continued, I knew they were not from soldiers but from Fulani people. My instincts told me I better hide and wait till they had gone.
“They were going from house to house, shooting and setting houses on fire for over one hour. When they had left, I managed to go out from the bush, and the sight I saw would stay with me for the rest of my life.
“Corpses were littered all over the place. I was one of those who helped to take those that were injured to the hospital. Children as young as six years old were slaughtered by the attackers. It was a very pathetic sight to behold,” Pwajok said.
Meanwhile, the community leaders have released a list of the deceased, who were given a mass burial on Wednesday.
See the list below:
Solomon Dung Choji – 43 yrs
Sunday Gyang Choji – 29 yrs
Davou Mallam Chollom – 24 yrs
Kefas Dung Sambo – 29 yrs
Chollom Danjuma Chollom – 37 yrs
Christina Davou Chollom – 27 yrs
Marvelous Chollom – 8 yrs
Japheth Solomon – 14 yrs
Ntyang Chollom Danjuma – 6 yrs
Mary Monday – 10 yrs
Mancha Monday – 12 yrs
Solomon Chung – 40 yrs
Musa Dung Bot – 32 yrs