Nine persons died in Tuesday’s attack on Rim, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. Four were injured.
The gunmen allegedly laid an ambush for their victims, after trailing them from Tuesday Market in Makera.
Residents accused soldiers of conniving with the culprits. The situation has created tension in neighbouring Diyan, Gako, Jol and Hoss.
A survivor, Chuwang Dangyang, said the gunmen were on military uniform, and with some Fulani men, which is why he suspects them to be soldiers on Operation Safe Haven.
Police spokesman Terna Tyopev, however, said 11 died in the attack.
But the military debunked allegations that its officers are responsible for the attack.
Media Officer of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Jos, Capt. Adams Umar, said: “It is wrong for anyone to think our soldiers will connive with criminals to kill the same people we are here to protect. Such allegations can only come from mischief makers.
“It is true the attack was done by gunmen. The victims were ambushed while returning from Makeran Market. As soon as we got information of the attack, the commander led troops to the village and spent the night there with his men, combing the surroundings for the gunmen.
“We are on their trail; our men are combing bushes around the scene. We have deployed helicopter for aerial surveillance, apart from ground troops, to ensure the gunmen don’t escape.
“No arrest has been made but we are doing our best to get them, we are tracking them from both air and ground.”
Chairman of Riyom council Emmanuel Damboyi has called for the arrest of Fulani leaders in Riyom. According to him, they vowed to attack Berom communities, if the body of a missing Fulani boy was not found.
According to Damboyi, the Fulani leaders, at the Security Council meeting, made the threat last week.
“I think the Fulani leaders are not ready for peace, they should be arrested and questioned for these killings.”
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