23 persons die in fresh Plateau violence

‘Poor resource allocation triggers herders, farmers’ clashes in Taraba’ 

No fewer than 23 persons have been burnt beyond recognition in Chisu Village, Mangu Local Council of Plateau State, by suspected Fulani militia in a fresh orgy of violence.

According to a witness, who preferred anonymity, the attack took place about 11.00p.m. when majority of the villagers had already gone to bed.

While 15 people were killed in Chisu, eight were massacred in Bwai community of the same Mangu.

Many people, including government officials from the area, described the incident as very unfortunate, considering the 24-hour curfew imposed on Mangu to stem attacks.

The witness added that the Church of Christ In Nation (COCIN) in Bwai along Mangu/Bokkos road was burnt alongside many other houses, while vehicles and tricycles were vandalised.

The Guardian gathered that when Chisu was witnessing a barrage of gunshots from the invaders, residents ran to their community leader for safety, but met the compound on fire.

Consequently, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, ordered security personnel to go after the perpetrators and fish them out for prosecution.

Mutfwang sympathised with families of victims, praying God to rest the souls of the victims.

A government official from the area told The Guardian that “there is no end in sight to the hostilities in the area” by the mercenaries.

Unspecified number of residents of Ajing community in Panyam District of Mangu was also killed on night of Sunday, June 4, 2023.

Meanwhile, the quest for control of resources has been identified as the major cause of incessant upheavals between herders and farmers in Taraba State.

Abubakar Tonko, representing Takum 1 in the House of Assembly, made the observations, yesterday while fielding questions from newsmen in Wukari Local Council of the state.

The lawmaker, who said Takum was leaving no stone unturned to halt further breach of peace, disclosed that the council was presently engaging various communities in the areas to complement the efforts of Governor Agbu Kefas.

He said: “With the way the governor is going, we are expecting meaningful progress in the discussion around peace when it comes to allocation of resources, especially land.”