ALLAFRICA

Jos — Three houses including that of the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Mining Corporation, Markus Pwajok, have been set ablaze in a fresh attack on Kuru Karama by unidentified persons.

Father of the chairman of Jos South Local Government Area, Da Dalyop Zi, was shot during the attack. He was taken to a hospital in Jos where he is said to be in critical condition.

Men of the special task force maintaining security in the area said they exchanged fire with some marauders, forcing them to flee into the bush but that they could not pursue them as they feared the attackers would ambush them.

Col. Kayode Ogundele, the operation officer of the special task force who narrated the efforts made by his men, said his men however went on their trail later in the morning and that they were still combing the area to apprehend the attackers.

Col. Ogundele said it was the prompt response of his men that saved the lives of the people of the village as the attackers fled when they sighted the reinforcement of the task force.

The attackers also burnt about four cars. No life was lost. Inhabitants of the area said they heard several gun shots at about 2: 00am and shortly after, saw the three buildings in flames.

A resident of the area, Mr Markus Davou, told our correspondent that he was in his house when he heard the gun shots but that before he could come out to see what it was all about he saw the three houses on fire.

Our correspondents confirmed that the houses set ablaze belonged to Mr. Markus Pwajok, a former Commissioner, a former General Manager of the Mining Corporation, Mr Davou Pwajok and the father of the Jos South Local Government chairman, Dah Dalyop Zi.

The Programme Coordinator of Stefanus Foundation Engineer Mark Lipdo said they visited the scene of the incident and were compiling the details of what had happened to know the assistance victims might require.

Police Public Relations Officer ASP Mohammed Lerama confirmed the attack. He said between 1am and 2am, they received a distress call that some people had attacked Kuru Karama and we sent our men. They found three houses on fire when they got there and called the Fire Service which helped to put out the fire. "We are investigating the incident", he said.

Plateau State Commissioner of Information and Communication Mr Gregory Yenlong also confirmed the incident, saying, "Some people attacked residents of Kuru Karama when I heard about it, I called the Permanent Secretary Security. I didn't get him and I called the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and he confirmed to me that some people attacked some houses and set houses ablaze. They heard about it around 1am and sent security operatives there. He said no life was lost.