Escalation of Violence in Plateau State
Gunmen have killed two individuals, injured one, and set houses ablaze in fresh attacks on Berom communities in Plateau State. These incidents occurred on Tuesday night, targeting at least four locations, including Gwa-Wereng Rim, Kyeng Village in Bachi District, Dorong, and Jol Village.
The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) confirmed the killings in a statement released on Wednesday. The statement was signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong. According to the association, the attacks resulted in the death of Bulus Mwagwong, known as Dikko, in Gwa-Wereng Rim. His cousin, Yakubu, was seriously injured. Additionally, a 47-year-old man named Stephen Dachollom Kaze was killed in Kyeng Village at approximately 8:30 p.m.
A resident of the affected area, Lyop Gabriel, described the attack at Gwa-Wereng Rim as occurring around 9:30 p.m., when gunmen reportedly invaded the community and opened fire on residents.
According to the BYM statement, another attack took place in Dorong, where attackers allegedly set houses ablaze, causing destruction of property and forcing residents to flee in fear. In Jol Village, armed attackers engaged local vigilantes in an exchange of gunfire, further heightening tension in the community.
The National President of the BYM, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, who also confirmed the killings, condemned the attacks, describing them as “a disturbing threat to the lives, livelihoods and safety of rural communities.” The association expressed concern over the increasing frequency of attacks on communities, particularly farmers and other residents who depend on their farmlands for their livelihoods.
The BYM called on security agencies to immediately “strengthen their presence in vulnerable communities, intensify surveillance and pursue those responsible for the attacks.” It also urged the security agencies “to ensure that perpetrators of the killings and destruction were arrested and brought to justice.”
The association further appealed to the Plateau State Government and other relevant authorities “to provide immediate assistance to affected families and communities, particularly those who lost loved ones, homes and other property in the attacks.” The BYM extended its condolences to the families of Mwagwong and Kaze, while wishing Yakubu a speedy recovery.
The association urged residents to remain vigilant, peaceful, and united, stressing that concerted efforts were required to prevent further escalation of violence in affected communities. It called for urgent and decisive security action to protect lives and property and restore confidence among residents of the affected communities.
Widespread Tension in Mangu Local Government Area
Meanwhile, tension was similarly reported in communities in Mangu Local Government Area of the state following an attack on Wednesday afternoon that left several people injured, with one person feared killed. PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 2 p.m., reportedly affected communities along the Sabon Gari–Mangu Halle–Mai Rana–Arangai–Mararaban Kantoma axis, forcing some residents, particularly women and children, to flee their homes.
Some travellers who confirmed the situation to PUNCH Metro in Jos on Wednesday said the situation was tense, with several settlements appearing deserted following the incident. One of the travellers, Gyang Dachu, said, “Travelling through Sabon Gari, Mangu Halle, through to Mai Rana, Arangai and Mararaban Kantoma, I noticed there is high tension. The communities are deserted, especially women.”
Speaking to our correspondent on the development on Wednesday night, the National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA), and former State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Bulus Dabit, confirmed that an attack had occurred and said several people were injured. Dabit said some villages were burnt during the incident, while youths who mobilised to protect their communities were also attacked.
“Some of our villages were burnt down. The youth who went to protect the village were injured,” he said. He added that one person was believed to have been killed, while some of the injured were receiving treatment in hospital.
“I know that one person died, but by now, I don’t know how many,” Dabit said. The MDA president expressed concern over the scale and apparent organisation of the attack, saying it appeared to be beyond an isolated dispute between individuals.
“It is not something that was caused by two people who are fighting,” he said. Dabit said the development should not be viewed merely as a Mangu issue, arguing that the level of mobilisation involved raised concerns that there could be more to the attacks than what was immediately apparent.
“It is not a Mangu issue. I think the level of this kind of attack, the way the mobilisation is, it may be more than just one incident. There may be more to it than what we are experiencing,” he said.
He, however, disclosed that security operatives had been deployed to the affected communities by the government, adding that the situation was relatively calm as of the time of the interview. “The situation is calm now because it is night time, and we hope that it will remain calm,” he said.
Dabit expressed hope that the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in the state would take decisive measures to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among residents. He said while the deployment of security personnel was a welcome development, the ultimate concern should be the safety of residents affected by the violence.
“We just hope that the attacks will stop with the deployment of security operatives,” he said.
Contacted, the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, was not immediately available for comment on the killings, as his phone indicated that it was switched off.
