Scores killed in fresh Plateau attack

• Lalong, gov-elect, others react
No fewer than 41 people were reportedly killed in a Monday night attack at Fungzai and Kubwat villages of Mangu Local Council of Plateau State.

Several others got injured, while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed by persons, suspected to be Fulani militia.

A source said the gunmen stormed the area and shot sporadically to scare locals. He said he counted more than 41 bodies.

Governor Simon Lalong, who also confirmed the incident, in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, said he had directed security forces to arrest and prosecute the masterminds.

He condoled with the victims, even as he directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) to investigate the matter and ascertain humanitarian needs.

Also, the governor-elect, Caleb Mutfwang, has deplored the onslaught.

In a consolatory message by his Special Assistant on Media, Gyang Bere, he appealed to security agencies to be more serious in securing citizens, particularly those in rural areas.

He advised them to collaborate within the ambit of the law to fish out the perpetrators and try them accordingly.

Similarly, the Senator-elect for Plateau Central, Diket Plang, in a statement, regretted that his constituents were no longer sleeping with eyes closed.

He said the people, who are predominantly farmers, cannot access their farms for fear of being attacked.

Plang lamented that the killings came at a time when farming activities were ongoing in several communities.

He warned that if the trend subsists, hunger would aggravate the development.

On its part, the police command condoled with the people on the unfortunate incident.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Alfred Alabo, the force said: “The Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, has expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident that took place in Bwoi District of Mangu LGA, which has claimed the lives of yet to be identified persons from various villages within the area.

“That on 15/05/2023 at about 1156hrs, a distress call was received from one of our police officers in charge of Tanknale village of Mangu LGA that some unknown gunmen were shooting sporadically in a nearby village.

“Upon receipt of this information, the CP immediately mobilised all command assets to the scene to ensure that the suspects are arrested and brought to book.”