Again, Houses, Churches Burnt as Gunmen Attack Plateau Communities

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

No fewer than 15 persons were killed and several others injured Tuesday night in fresh attacks on Bwai and Chisu communities of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attackers didn’t spare residential and church buildings as several of them were torched.

THISDAY gathered that the villagers had gone to bed when the assailants swooped on the communities and took advantage of the absence of security personnel to set their homes and farms ablaze.

A resident of one of the communities, Mr. Bamshak Ishaya, lamenting the wreck on the communities, blamed Fulani militias whom he said have not ceased to wage war on the local communities of Governor Caleb Mutfwang since he took over the leadership of the state.

He said: “Some people were killed by Fulani militias at a community leader’s house in an attack at Chisu village on Tuesday night at about 11:00 pm. We are aware that they have been waging war against Mangu Local Government Area since our governor came on board. But we are praying for him to get the wisdom to tackle these mindless killings that have become the order of the day in our state.”

He said that the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) building at Bwai, along Mangu-Bokkos road, was completely razed to the ground, adding that cars and tricycles were not spared.

Ishaya said that the people of Chisu community heard sporadic gunshots and ran to the residence of their community leader, but unfortunately, the house had been set on fire, and 11 persons burnt.

“We picked their remains this morning, while search is still ongoing to recover bodies of others that may have been killed in nearby bushes as they tried to escape,” Ishaya said.

He said that at Bwai, aside churches and houses, their market square was burnt, and a woman who slept over in her shop was burnt too. “We are not sure if there are others that are yet to be discovered.”

The Interim Management Committee Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area, Mr. Markus Artu, confirmed the incident to journalists on the phone, but added that information at his disposal was still sketchy.

Artu said: “I am gathering the pieces. I am going on an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. We have conflicting reports coming, the security agencies said there was an attempt to attack but it was repelled. But some villagers are telling different stories. I heard that they attempted to burn a church but it was repelled. I don’t have the facts.”

The member representing Mangu South Constituency in the state Assembly, Mr. Bala Fwangje, also confirmed the incident saying: “At about 11 last night, we got a call that herdsmen attacked Chisu and Bwai. This morning, we heard that about 15 persons were killed, houses destroyed and property burnt. I am yet to get the full details.”

Meanwhile, the police is yet to confirm the incident as calls to the Public Relations Officer of the state command, Mr. Alfred Alabo, did not connect.

Appealing for calm in a solidarity message, Governor Mutfwang told the citizens to exercise restraint, exhibit tolerance and forgiveness as his government is determined to find a lasting solution to the incessant killing in the state.

In a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPPA), Mr. Gyang Bere, the governor also implored traditional and community leaders to commence confidence-building among citizens as that will help unite the people against their common enemies. 

He equally charged security personnel in the state to step up their game against the criminal elements that won’t allow peace to reign.