Several residents are feared dead after gunmen reportedly attacked settlements in Jwak Maitumbi community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack, which was reportedly carried out by a rampaging militia, also left about 45 residential shelters destroyed, while large quantities of crops were damaged.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the incident was reported at about 7:45am on Sunday, prompting troops to mobilise to the affected community.
A military security source told the publication that when troops arrived at the scene, they discovered that approximately 45 houses had been destroyed and residents’ valuables looted by the attackers.
“In the early hours of the attack, several residents were gunned down by the attackers before slaughtering them,” Makama said.
“The attack immediately triggered mass displacement with women, children and the elderly running for safety.
“The assailants also reportedly entered farms belonging to Fulani residents and used cutlasses to destroy a large quantity of crops.
“Following the incident, troops summoned the Galadima and youth leader of Jwak Maitumbi community, directing the community leadership to assist security agencies in identifying and producing those responsible for the attack.
“The development is particularly sensitive because the conflict in parts of Plateau has frequently been characterised by tit-for-tat attacks, in which an attack on one community is followed by retaliation against another community, often resulting in further deaths, destruction of property and displacement.”
Makama warned that the destruction of homes and crops could heighten tensions and potentially trigger retaliatory attacks if the perpetrators are not identified and brought to justice.
The publication noted that a failure to establish accountability could reinforce perceptions of impunity and encourage affected communities or their associates to pursue their own form of justice.
“Plateau has experienced several episodes of this nature, with targeted attacks and reprisals often spreading beyond the location where the initial incident occurred,” Makama said.
“The danger is that the latest incident could similarly be interpreted through the lens of previous attacks rather than as an isolated criminal act.
“The intervention was aimed at ensuring accountability and preventing possible reprisal attacks capable of escalating tensions between communities in the area.
“Troops have continued to dominate the general area while engaging community and traditional leaders as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions, prevent retaliatory violence and restore calm.”
TheCable contacted Alfred Alabo, spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, for comments on the incident, but he had not responded as of press time.