Gunmen attack Plateau community, several residents feared killed

Residents of settlements in Jwak Maitumbi community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state have reportedly been killed by a group of rampaging militia.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter insurgency newspaper, about 45 residential buildings and vast crop produce have equally been destroyed.

Zagazola Makama said the case was reported around 7:45 am on Sunday, hence the movement of troops to the affected community.

According to military security source quoted by Zagazola Makama, the troops found out that about 45 buildings had been razed down and the belongings of the residents had been looted by the attackers.

“In the early hours of the attack, several residents were gunned down by the attackers before slaughtering them,” Makama said.

“The attack immediately triggered mass displacement with women, children and the elderly running for safety.

“The assailants also reportedly entered farms belonging to Fulani residents and used cutlasses to destroy a large quantity of crops.

“Following the incident, troops summoned the Galadima and youth leader of Jwak Maitumbi community, directing the community leadership to assist security agencies in identifying and producing those responsible for the attack.

“The development is particularly sensitive because the conflict in parts of Plateau has frequently been characterised by tit-for-tat attacks, in which an attack on one community is followed by retaliation against another community, often resulting in further deaths, destruction of property and displacement.”

Makama said the destruction of the shelters and crops could become a trigger for revenge if affected residents or their associates believe that the perpetrators have not been identified or brought to justice

The publication noted that failure to establish accountability could deepen perceptions of impunity and increase the temptation for affected communities to seek their own form of justice.

“Plateau has experienced several episodes of this nature, with targeted attacks and reprisals often spreading beyond the location where the initial incident occurred,” Makama said.

“The danger is that the latest incident could similarly be interpreted through the lens of previous attacks rather than as an isolated criminal act.

“The intervention was aimed at ensuring accountability and preventing possible reprisal attacks capable of escalating tensions between communities in the area.

“Troops have continued to dominate the general area while engaging community and traditional leaders as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions, prevent retaliatory violence and restore calm.”

TheCable contacted Alfred Alabo, spokesperson for the Plateau state police command, over the incident, but he had yet to respond as of press time.