Gunmen attacked a herding community in Lamor, Pushit District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing several cattle and injuring others.

The community said the attackers stormed the area around 7:30 p.m., shortly after herders returned from grazing on Wednesday.

According to them, the cattle were tethered when the attackers opened fire, killing about 20 and injuring many.

The development comes amid high tensions in some parts of the state despite imposed dusk to dawn curfew in three LGAs including Bakin Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos.

Despite the curfew, attacks and killings continue in the affected areas.

A resident of the area, Muhammad Ibrahim narrated that when the perpetrators stormed community, they first fired tear gas and before shooting sporadically, adding that he was lucky to survive the attack.

Confirming the latest attack, Alh Bello Shanono, Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Mangu LGA area condemned the attack and describing it as unprovoked.

“We were surprised by the attack because the incident occurred at home at the cattle were returned home. The cattle were neither grazing nor destroying farms. They were just attacked at home. It is a clear indication that the perpetrators want to provoke us.

“One of our major challenges is that whenever we are attacked no one is saying anything but if any other tribe is attacked, we hear condemnation from all sides. We find it difficult to understand this. Government should know that we are all its citizens irrespective of our ethnic backgrounds. Despite all that is happening, the GOC asked us to be patient and remain law-abiding. Let us allow security to investigate those responsible, “the chairman said.

Speaking at the scene of the incident, the Sector 8 Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Liman, pleaded with the herders to be patient and never take laws into their own hands. He promised to investigate those responsible and bring them to justice.