Senator Gyang Dantong and Plateau State Majority Leader, Gyang Fulani, died of exhaustion on Sunday, it was revealed yesterday. The two lawmakers were among the 104 persons who lost their lives when suspected Fulani herdsmen began their rampage on four local governments last Saturday.
Confirming the cause of the legislators’ deaths yesterday were a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Simon Mwadkon, who slumped alongside the late Sen. Dantong, 53 and the late Hon. Fulani, aged 54. The two died when they were ambushed on Sunday during the burial of those who died in the first attack.
Also corroborating Mwadkon who is recupering at home is the Commander, Special Task Force (STF) in Jos, Major-Gen. Henry Popoola.He said the two lawmakers died in the Barkin Ladi stampede on Sunday.
The two died while Mwadkon, who represents Barkin-Ladi federal constituency, was revived at the Barkin Ladi Hospital, he said.
Mwadkon spoke in Jos yesterday when Governor Jonah Jang visited him in his residence. “`We were at the burial ground preparing to bury the victims of a massive attack on the villages when the gunmen started shooting, forcing everyone to abandon the corpses and fled to safety.
“`Everyone was racing away, but the senator slumped first and there was a rush to take him,’’ he said. He described the persistent killings as “very outrageous and embarrassing’’ in an area under a state of emergency imposed by the Federal Government.
He said that hundreds of villagers had been killed in the past few months, stressing that in some cases, some villages were wiped out in such attacks. Mwadon called on the Federal Government to protect the villagers as they remained vulnerable to attacks everyday.
Earlier, Jang had asked Mwadon to tell the world ``exactly what happened’’, pointing out that God spared his life to enable him relay what had happened. He said that the late lawmakers lived exemplary lives, and declared that the Almighty had called them to rest in his glory.
“I have already visited the families of the deceased and have reminded them that God is the comforter and will never abandon them,’’ Jang said. The governor said that the duo sacrificed their lives for their people and declared that such sacrifice would not go in vain.
“They will be remembered for the great sacrifice they made to their people because what happened to them could have happened to anyone. “I have also asked their families never to ask God why he did it because He certainly knows why,’’ he said.
Jang noted that he had worked very closely with the deceased lawmakers and was sure they were at the bosom of the Lord, and urged the Federal Government to wipe out marauders in the country. He called on the people to fast and pray for peace, while expressing utmost optimism that God will not abandon the state.
Meanwhile, Gen. Ayoola told reporters that the deceased lawmakers were at a burial when they were attacked, adding that in the stampede, they slumped and could not be revived. Ayoola said that they died at General Hospital, Barkin Ladi, debunking claims that they were shot dead.
He warned the populace to observe the curfew imposed on four local government areas by the state government on Sunday.
Confirming the cause of the legislators’ deaths yesterday were a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Simon Mwadkon, who slumped alongside the late Sen. Dantong, 53 and the late Hon. Fulani, aged 54. The two died when they were ambushed on Sunday during the burial of those who died in the first attack.
Also corroborating Mwadkon who is recupering at home is the Commander, Special Task Force (STF) in Jos, Major-Gen. Henry Popoola.He said the two lawmakers died in the Barkin Ladi stampede on Sunday.
The two died while Mwadkon, who represents Barkin-Ladi federal constituency, was revived at the Barkin Ladi Hospital, he said.
Mwadkon spoke in Jos yesterday when Governor Jonah Jang visited him in his residence. “`We were at the burial ground preparing to bury the victims of a massive attack on the villages when the gunmen started shooting, forcing everyone to abandon the corpses and fled to safety.
“`Everyone was racing away, but the senator slumped first and there was a rush to take him,’’ he said. He described the persistent killings as “very outrageous and embarrassing’’ in an area under a state of emergency imposed by the Federal Government.
He said that hundreds of villagers had been killed in the past few months, stressing that in some cases, some villages were wiped out in such attacks. Mwadon called on the Federal Government to protect the villagers as they remained vulnerable to attacks everyday.
Earlier, Jang had asked Mwadon to tell the world ``exactly what happened’’, pointing out that God spared his life to enable him relay what had happened. He said that the late lawmakers lived exemplary lives, and declared that the Almighty had called them to rest in his glory.
“I have already visited the families of the deceased and have reminded them that God is the comforter and will never abandon them,’’ Jang said. The governor said that the duo sacrificed their lives for their people and declared that such sacrifice would not go in vain.
“They will be remembered for the great sacrifice they made to their people because what happened to them could have happened to anyone. “I have also asked their families never to ask God why he did it because He certainly knows why,’’ he said.
Jang noted that he had worked very closely with the deceased lawmakers and was sure they were at the bosom of the Lord, and urged the Federal Government to wipe out marauders in the country. He called on the people to fast and pray for peace, while expressing utmost optimism that God will not abandon the state.
Meanwhile, Gen. Ayoola told reporters that the deceased lawmakers were at a burial when they were attacked, adding that in the stampede, they slumped and could not be revived. Ayoola said that they died at General Hospital, Barkin Ladi, debunking claims that they were shot dead.
He warned the populace to observe the curfew imposed on four local government areas by the state government on Sunday.
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