The Plateau State government has imposed a curfew in Mangu local government area.
This followed the alleged killing of 37 persons, mostly women and children in a dawn attack by suspected militia herders in Kubwat and Fungzai villages.
LEADERSHIP learnt that the attack occurred at 2 am yesterday when the gunmen invaded the communities. Scores of others were injured in the invasion.
Unofficial sources said 28 persons were killed in Kubwat and nine in Fungzai villages.
To prevent the crisis from escalating, a 24-hour curfew has been imposed on the council.
In a statement signed by Mangu council chairman, Minister Daput, the curfew was agreed on after consultation with security heads as means of restoring law and order in the affected communities as well as to avoid the situation from getting out of hand considering the numbers of casualties involved in the attack.
The police command public relations officer , DSP Alfred Alabo, said the command had deployed more troops to the communities while investigation into the attacks had started.
In a reaction to the incident, Plateau State governor, Simon Bako Lalong said, ”I woke up Tuesday, 16th May, 2023, to distressing news of an overnight attack on Kubat Village in Mangu local government area where some persons including women and children were reportedly killed.”
He directed security agencies to pursue the attackers and arrest them.
In a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, Governor Lalong described the attack as yet another attempt by crisis merchants and criminals to return the state to the dark days of pain and agony, vowing that the government will stop at nothing to ensure that those behind this scheme are dealt with mercilessly.
While condemning the act, the governor commiserated with the victims and assures that the murderers will not be allowed to go unpunished as this is an act that can neither be tolerated or excused no matter the motivation.
The governor has equally directed the State Emergency Management Agency and the Peace Building Agency to visit the area and ascertain the humanitarian need so as to bring succour to the affected while thorough investigation is being carried out.
Meanwhile, the senator-elect for Plateau Central, Hon. Diket Plang, has condemned in strong terms the latest attack at Kubwat and Fungzai communities in Mangu local government area of Plateau State, which claimed lives and property with millions of naira.
Hon. Plang, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Jos said the constant onslaught against the peace-loving people of his senatorial district, precisely in Mangu and Bokoss local government areas, has reached such a crescendo that the people no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.
According to him, as a result of the attacks, the people who were predominantly farmers can no longer access their farms for fear of being attacked by gunmen, adding to the air of apprehension that presently pervades most communities in the affected local government area.
