US enraged over Plateau killings

The U.S. has strongly condemned the attacks in Plateau during which no
fewer than 86 people were killed and several others injured.

In a statement by Ms Heather Nauert, Spokesperson for the U.S.
Department of State, it said the perpetrators of the attacks should be
brought to justice.

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the
killing of civilians and destruction of property in Nigeria's Middle
Belt region over the weekend.

"We are concerned by the recent increase in armed violence against
civilians and call on all political and community leaders to lend
their voices to peace and to work together to find lasting solutions
to these rural conflicts.

"We join President Buhari and others in sending our deepest
condolences to the affected communities, and in the desire to see the
perpetrators brought to justice and to prevent further violence,"
Nauert said.

According Mr Terna Tyopev, the Public Relations Officer of the Police
Command in Plateau, 50 houses, two cars and 15 motorcycles were burnt
in the attacks by herders.

The herdsmen were reported to have invaded Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura
and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local
Government Area where the deaths occurred.

The Plateau Government has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in Riyom,
Barkin Ladi and Jos South local government areas following the
attacks.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who condemned the attacks, describing the
incident as "very painful and regrettable", also blamed politicians
for the massacre.