No fewer than 18 persons were feared killed when gunmen struck on Friday morning in Tilengpan community in Mangu Local Government area of Plateau state.
It was gathered that 12 individuals were reportedly killed in Mangu villages this morning, with an additional six persons murdered in four Bokkos communities, along with a university student last night.
Source from the communities alleged that a group of terrorists invaded Tilengpat community and four villages of Bokkos communities to carry out the attacks.
The chairman of the local government, Monday Kassam, who confirmed the unfortunate incident said the militias came into the local government and launched deadly attacks on four communities and left six people dead.
He explained that just like any of thier deadly operations, they came into those communities including the off campus hostel of the Students of Plateau State University shooting sporadically into the air to announce thier arrival.
According to him, six people were killed including a female student of the university who was shot in his room adding that this later sparked off a protest by the students of the university in the early hours of Friday.
He said: “The following morning, the students came out in thier large number, they were demonstrating when one of them was shot again based on the information I heard from the eyewitness account
“And the militias not satisfied had to come in again this morning despite the presence of security. They were given a chase but I don’t know the number of casualties but as of yesterday six persons were reported dead’.
Furthermore, a statement by the liason officer to governor Mutfwang, Hon. Bala Fwangje, stated that, “We, on behalf of the Liaison office for Mangu South State Constituency, strongly condemn the recent senseless attacks in Talengpat village of Pushit District, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. It is disheartening to hear that at least 12 innocent lives have been lost in this tragic event.
“We call upon the Inspector General of Police, Special Task Force, and all other relevant security agencies to immediately respond and restore normalcy to the affected communities. The safety and security of our people must be prioritized at all times.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims who have lost their loved ones in this brutal attack. We demand a thorough investigation into the root causes of this violence, which has been ongoing since 17th April 2023.
“We implore the security agencies to swiftly apprehend the masterminds behind these atrocities and bring them to justice. It is crucial for the government at all levels to intervene and prevent further escalation of the situation in Mangu LGA and surrounding areas.