I’m sorry to hear about the tragic incident in Plateau State. The details you provided describe a distressing attack on Kwahaslalek village, resulting in the loss of no fewer than 30 lives, primarily women and children.
The victims had sought refuge in the house of a community leader after an earlier unrest in Mangu town. However, they were tragically surrounded by gunmen who attacked and killed them.
Mark Haruna, a community leader, confirmed the death toll, emphasizing that the earlier disturbances in Sabon Gari and Mangu town were orchestrated as a distraction to shift attention away from the vulnerable villages. Joseph Gwankat, the Chairman of Mwaghavul Development Association, expressed his distress over the callousness of the attack, revealing that fears generated by the unrest in Mangu town led people to assemble in what they believed was a safe place. Unfortunately, this gathering became the target for the gunmen who carried out the deadly assault.
Such incidents are deeply saddening, and our thoughts go out to the families and communities affected by this senseless violence. It underscores the urgent need for security measures and efforts to address the root causes of such conflicts to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
The condemnation of the killings in Plateau State is echoed by the chairman, who expressed dismay over the apparent lack of security presence to protect the villagers. He questioned the constant attacks on people in their own villages and the seeming impunity of the perpetrators, describing the acts as pure wickedness. The absence of security during such tragic events adds to the distressing nature of the situation.
The spokesman for the state police command, Alabo Alfred, acknowledged that he had not received a report on the incident when contacted. He pledged to investigate the matter and gather information from his Commander to determine the details surrounding the attacks.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang declared a 24-hour curfew on Mangu Local Government Area on Tuesday. This decision comes in the aftermath of unrest that resulted in the burning of several houses, including churches and mosques. The imposition of the curfew reflects the urgency of addressing the security challenges and restoring peace in the affected area.
The recent attacks in Plateau State have added to the ongoing challenges faced by the region, following the Christmas Eve attacks on communities in three local government areas. Gunmen targeted several villages, including Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat, and Butura Kampani in Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos areas. The assailants burned houses and indiscriminately shot residents.
Tragically, over 150 people were reported to have lost their lives in the Christmas Eve attacks, further exacerbating the security crisis in the state. The recurrence of such violent incidents underscores the urgent need for comprehensive security measures and efforts to address the root causes of the conflicts in order to restore peace to the affected communities. The situation reflects the challenges faced by the local population and the gravity of the security issues in the region.
