No fewer than 20 people have been confirmed killed within 24 hours in a series of fresh and reprisal attacks in Mangu local government area of Plateau state.
The latest incident occurred on Tuesday evening, leaving eight people dead in Chichim settlement, according to the chairman of Mangu local government council, Emmanuel Bala.
“We have recorded eight deaths in the latest attack, which occurred around 8:00 p.m.,” Bala said. “The attack happened on the outskirts of Mangu LGA, in a place called Chichim. People were inside their houses when the attackers struck, mostly using knives to kill them,” he added.
Bala explained that the violence began two days earlier, noting: “On Monday, an earlier attack in Bwe District claimed seven lives, and a mass burial was held on Tuesday.
“There is another village in Langai town, Gindiri axis; there was an attack and they also burnt down houses and about 5 people were confirmed dead.”
He said, on Tuesday evening at about 8:00pm, Chichim community on the outskirts of Mangu, was attacked and people were killed.
Bala also confirmed a third incident in Langai, near the Gindiri axis, where five people were reportedly killed and several houses burnt down.
When asked about the cause of the attacks and reprisals, Bala attributed them to a series of escalating tensions between local residents and Fulani herders.
“A while ago, some natives engaged in mining activities were attacked and macheted, though no deaths were recorded. In retaliation, the natives carried out a counterattack,” he explained.
“Following that, there was an incident where farm crops were destroyed and a woman, along with some boys, were macheted. Though they survived, it led to yet another reprisal,” he said.
He said further escalation occurred after Fulani herders were reportedly stopped near Sabon Gari on suspicion of involvement in previous attacks in nearby Bokkos.
However, the secretary, Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN), Mangu LGA chapter, Abubakar Garba, debunked the allegation against herdsmen.
“The allegation is baseless, our people are law abiding, they did not attack any one talk less of killing. We condemn in total what has happened,” he said.
Garba urged security personnel to do everything lawful at bringing to the end the continued attacks on herders and farmers.
Alhaji Yakubu Umar, a traditional ruler and Madugun Langai, said 96 houses were burnt down on Monday by hoodlums.
“Yes, some suspected Berom people attacked Gyenbwas village, in Langai district, Mangu LGA. They burnt 96 houses.
“We have never experienced such atrocities. The perpetrators burned working equipment, clothes, foodstuffs, and other items. They also looted goods worth millions of naira. We live peacefully with everyone, and that’s why we were very surprised,” Umar added.
President of Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Dalyop Solomon, however, denied alleged involvement of the youth in the attack, describing it as “false.”
“Yesterday, three of our members who were on the farm around the area were attacked by terrorists and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital,” Dalyop said.