Armed Herdsmen Attack Plateau Communities, Kill 13, Burn Several Homes

At least 13 people—mostly children and the elderly—have been killed, and numerous homes set ablaze, following attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on Juwan and Manja communities in Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

The first assault took place Thursday night in Juwan, located in the Tangur District of Bokkos LGA, where 10 people lost their lives and several others sustained serious injuries.

In a separate attack earlier that evening, three people were killed in Manja, Chafem Chiefdom of Mangu LGA. The victims were working on their farmland when the assailants struck unexpectedly. Others managed to escape with injuries after security forces responded to distress calls from fleeing residents.

Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Council, Amalau Samuel, confirmed the incident to Channels TV, describing it as both "barbaric and inhuman."

“The attackers came in the dead of night and began killing innocent people,” he said. “They went from house to house, and when they couldn’t gain access through the doors, they broke in through the ceilings.”

According to him, most of those killed were the elderly and children who were unable to escape, while more agile individuals fled for safety.

In the Manja attack, over 20 houses were reportedly torched before the intervention of security operatives.

Mathew Kwarpo, who represents Mangu South in the Plateau State House of Assembly, confirmed the attack, stating that the armed men were eventually repelled by a joint effort of security forces and local youth.

However, Kwarpo added that the attackers returned later the same day, burning down more than 20 houses. Though no further casualties were recorded, the community was forced to flee, leaving many displaced.

“In the second wave of the attack, there were no deaths, but people had to abandon their homes. We are pleading with both the state and federal governments to step in,” he said.

“These repeated attacks are becoming unbearable. Whenever they issue a threat, they carry it out. The security forces are doing their best, but they are being overwhelmed. This seems like a calculated attempt to take over our land. We are calling on President Tinubu to intervene.”

Communities across Bokkos, Bassa, and Mangu LGAs in Plateau State have come under increased attacks by suspected herdsmen in recent times, resulting in significant loss of lives and destruction of property.

Sahara Reporters

Related Posts: