Death toll from soldiers’ attack on civilians rises to 39

A clash between soldiers and civilians in Plateau State has now left 39 people dead, according to reports.

The attack reportedly began on Saturday, May 2, 2015, after the soldiers arrived the area in 40 trucks.

The initial death toll was pegged at 30 but has now risen to 39 and is expected to rise even more, according to the traditional ruler of Ponzhi Kadarko, Chief Lot Nde.

Nde told Punch on Sunday, May 3, that soldiers with armoured tanks had pursued villagers into remote areas where many of them were eventually shot and killed.

He also added that he was currently on the run because he believed himself to be the main target of the attack.

“As I am talking to you now, all the villages have been deserted and I am taking refuge somewhere in Langtang,” Nde said.

The four deceased soldiers, whose deaths led to the attacks, were said to have been killed at Angwan Nanmi, Karin Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State by the villagers for yet unknown reasons.

The spokesman for the Special Task Force, Ikedichi Iweha however denied the reports saying that the soldiers were not fighting civilians but were rather trying to clear the area of militiamen.