Several residents of settlements in Jwak Maitumbi community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, have reportedly been killed after suspected militia members launched an attack on the area.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, also left about 45 residential shelters destroyed, while valuables belonging to residents were reportedly looted and large quantities of crops were destroyed.

The incident was reported at about 7:45am, according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, which said troops were subsequently deployed to the affected community.

A military security source told the publication that troops, upon arriving at the community, discovered that about 45 houses had been destroyed during the attack.

The source said the assailants also looted valuables belonging to residents before fleeing the area.

According to Makama, several residents were reportedly shot by the attackers during the assault and some were subsequently slaughtered.

The attack reportedly triggered panic and mass displacement, forcing women, children and elderly residents to flee their homes in search of safety.

The assailants were also said to have entered farms belonging to Fulani residents, where they allegedly used cutlasses to destroy large quantities of crops.

Following the attack, troops reportedly summoned the Galadima and youth leader of Jwak Maitumbi community and directed them to cooperate with security agencies in identifying and producing those responsible for the violence.

The military intervention is reportedly aimed at preventing the incident from escalating into further violence, particularly amid concerns that the destruction of homes, farmlands and property could trigger reprisal attacks.

Plateau State has experienced repeated cycles of communal violence in which attacks on one community have often been followed by retaliatory attacks elsewhere, leading to further deaths, destruction and displacement.

Makama warned that the latest incident could become a trigger for revenge if affected residents or their associates believe that those responsible have not been identified or brought to justice.

The publication said failure to establish accountability could deepen perceptions of impunity and increase the likelihood of affected communities taking the law into their own hands.

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

He added that the military’s engagement with community and traditional leaders was intended to promote accountability, de-escalate tensions and prevent retaliatory violence.

“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,” he said.

The latest attack has heightened concerns over the security situation in parts of Mangu Local Government Area, with residents reportedly displaced from affected settlements.