Despite Curfew Imposed By The Plateau Govt, Gunmen killed Over 30 in Mangu, Several Houses Burnt

No fewer than 30 persons were killed in Plateau State in the early hours of Wednesday by gunmen who attacked Kwahaslalek village, Mangu Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the victims, who were mostly women and children, had run to the house of a community leader in the area on Tuesday night for safety following an earlier unrest during the day in Mangu town when the gunmen surrounded them and killed all of them

A community leader in the area, Mark Haruna, confirmed the death toll to PUNCH Online in Jos, the state capital, on Wednesday.

Haruna said, “What happened at Sabon Gari and Mangu town yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) was just a distraction so that the attention of the people will be shifted away from the villages.

“For the second time, my village Kwahaslalek (behind NYSC camp) came under attack by gunmen yesterday (Tuesday)night. They came at about 12:30 am and killed over 25 people, mostly women and children.”

The Chairman of Mwaghavul Development Association, Joseph Gwankat, also confirmed the killing, describing it as callous.

“I couldn’t sleep last night as a result of what happened in Mangu town during the day yesterday. Now, I have just been told Kwahaslalek village was attacked last night and about 30 people were killed .

“From what I was told, the unrest in Mangu town yesterday created fears in many communities. Some people in the village went and evacuated their loved ones and assembled them in a place where they thought was safe.

“So in the night, the killers went to Kwahaslalek village where the people mostly women and children were assembled and killed all of them,” he said

The chairman who condemned the killing added, “I was told that no security was on ground to save the villagers. This act is pure wickedness. How can people who are in their villages be targets of constant attacks and killings without anything being done to stop the perpetrators?”

The spokesman for the state police command, Alabo Alfred, said he had yet to get the report of the incident when contacted.

“I have not received any report on that. Let me call my Commander. We will investigate the incident if actually something like that happened,” the PPRO said

It would be recalled that  Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang imposed a 24 hour curfew on Mangu Local Government Area of the state with immediate effect. This followed the deteriorating security situation in the area.

The Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State Gyang Bere made this known to this medium in Jos .

Governor Mutfwang took the decision after consultations with the relevant security agencies. He stated that only persons on essential duties are allowed to move within the Local Government area until further notice.

He urged all citizens, especially residents of Mangu Local Government area, to comply with the directive and assist the security personnel by providing reliable information to restore peace and order in the area.

He lamented that some people are still determined to create an atmosphere of insecurity in the state, despite the government’s efforts to end the activities of terrorist elements.

He expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured, and assured them that the government will not relent in ensuring lasting peace in the state. He promised that the curfew will be reviewed as soon as the security situation improves.