A family of five, a man, his three children and grand daughter, were among the 30 people killed in the renewed clashes between the locals and Fulani herders in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to sunnewsonline report, the man, identified as David, his son, Emmanuel, daughter, Beatrice, and two others, whose names were yet to be ascertained at press time, were said to have been burnt in their house in the Sabon Kasuwa area of Kwagas Layir in Mangu town. One of the girls was said to be his granddaughter, who is an SS1 student. The man was said to be a native of Langtang North, but working in Mangu local government area.
The rampaging gunmen were said to have defied the curfew imposed by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to attack the Kwagas Layir, Sabon Kasuwa and the surrounding communities where they killed no fewer than 30 people and burnt some property, too.
Special Adviser on Security to Mutfwang, Gakji Shipi, reportedly said that the problem was sparked off by an altercation between a local and a Fulani herder over right of way. The herder was said to have herded his cows across the Mangu road when the local riding on a motorcycle challenged him. The altercation was said to have snowballed into a free-for-all as sympathisers of both parties joined the fray.
Earlier Tuesday, a TruthNigeria, a non-governmental organisation, had raised fears of possible attacks in the area when it said it received credible information, indicating that a convoy of armed gunmen, originating from Marit, Exland, Josho, Mahanga, Mushere, and Ruku, comprising of motorbikes with three individuals on each, was en route to Mangu and neighbouring villages in Bokkos local government areas.
The security alert had said: “All residents and security personnel are urged to exercise heightened vigilance and take immediate precautions. Stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities. Security forces are actively responding to the situation, but public cooperation is essential for a swift and effective response.
“Please share this alert with your community to ensure everyone stays informed and safe. The situation is dynamic, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”
A resident of Kwagas Layir, whose house was completely razed, Mrs Solome Shekar, told Daily Sun that she was yet to see her son who she left in the house.
She said: “When we heard rumours and gunshots, on Tuesday, I had to evacuate my husband who was very sick to another village, while I left my son to take care of the house. On Wednesday, the attackers went and burnt our house and as I am talking to you, I am yet to see him.”
She confirmed that the family of five was burnt inside their house in the Sabon Kasuwa area of Kwagas Layir. She also said as of yesterday afternoon, many houses were still up in flames in many parts of Mangu.
A human rights activist, Makut Alfred Mashat, confirmed that killings were still going on in Mangu despite the presence of security agents, stressing that since the Christmas Eve massacre, many more people have been killed.
sunnewsonline
