The security situation in Plateau state took a dangerous dimension as gunmen invaded a community, killing no fewer than 10 people and injuring others.
The attack, which occurred in the Kulben community of the State on Sunday, September 10, left many other residents of the ommunity injured. A resident confirmed the incident; he said several houses were destroyed during the attack
“Armed Fulani militia group attacked our community in Kulben village within Kombun District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. The gunmen came to the village at about 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, and killed 10 of our people. They also injured many others and destroyed our properties, including houses.
“Currently, our people are mourning the gruesome killing of their kinsmen, and arrangement is ongoing to conduct mass burial for the victims,” the resident Moses Fwan said.
When reporters contacted the Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Alfred Alabo to confirm the incident, Alabo said he was at a meeting at the time of the call and did not confirm the incident.
While Plateau state was always confronted with terrorism during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and the state’s former Governor Simon Lalong, Mangu has witnessed a rising spate of banditry and terrorism since the inauguration of the current administeration
Over 200 deaths in four months
On June 9, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang said that at least 150 people were killed in similar attacks in three weeks. ioinews traced at least 72 other deaths from terror attacks since June 9 from news reports, including the latest killings. This brings the number of deaths from terror attacks in Mangu LGA alone to at least 222 in less than four months.
Mutfwang, who spoke a few weeks after his inauguration, sees the attacks as deliberate efforts to destroy the state. He also said the arable nature of Plateau’s land and mineral resources were factors fueling the incessant killings.
“Plateau has come into serious contention for some of these reasons. So, we can look at the economic, political, and social factors behind the continuation of these insurgencies. But I can assure you that we are doing our best to tackle these issues,” Governor Mutfwang said.
SOURCE: The Punch
IMAGE: Crime watch
