At least six people, including a woman, have been killed and a dozen others injured in separate attacks on communities in Bassa and Mangu local government areas of Plateau State.
The violence unfolded between Sunday, June 8 and Monday, June 9, with the first attack taking place in Ancha community, Bassa LGA, and the second in Gyenbwas Rinji community, located in the Langai district of Mangu LGA.
Garba Abdullahi, State Chairman of the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN), confirmed the Ancha incident, revealing that several herders were declared missing around 3am while grazing cattle. Their bodies were later discovered in the area.
He said, “The herders were grazing when the perpetrators dragged them from the grazing area to Ancha and killed them,” adding that the incident had been reported to the police and Operation Safe Haven.
The violence in Mangu escalated when gunmen stormed Gyenbwas Rinji in large numbers, shooting sporadically and setting houses ablaze. A man and a woman were killed, while several buildings were destroyed in the chaos.
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According to Mr. Mangs Fwangkat Isa, acting Chairman of the Mwaghavul Youth Development (MYM) in Mangu Halle District, the unrest was triggered when local herders ambushed three youths from the community on Sunday evening, killing one and injuring two others.
He said, “On Monday, the FOB command came and pleaded with us. We tried to calm the situation because the youths were angry.”
“While trying to calm down the situation, herders came from nowhere and started shooting. Our youths responded because we couldn’t just relax while the security presence was inadequate.”
Isa further explained that the youths, armed with sticks and local cutlasses, attempted to repel the attackers. In the process, two more people were killed, and at least 10 were injured. The wounded are currently being treated at hospitals in Halle and Mangu.
The recent violence comes just a day after four people, including both farmers and herders, were killed in Uwok-Ishe community of Kakkek district in Bassa as they travelled to mining sites.