No fewer than 15 farmers were reportedly k!lled when assailants launched attacks on seven villages in Plateau State.
The attackers reportedly burnt down several houses and looted many animals in the villages of Manden, Jibin, Tim, Jiblang, Koppang, Mihdihin, and Jilem of Chakfem district of Mangu Local Government Area.
Besides the de@d, many locals were also injured and they are currently receiving treatment at COCIN Hospital- Mwar-Chakfem.
The National President of Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA), Mr. Bulus Dabit, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust on Wednesday, August 20. He said the victims included women and children.
Though the attack occured on Monday night, August 18, Dabit said that information about the attack was delayed due to the inaccessibility of the affected areas.
Narrating the incident, he said, “The incident occurred on Monday evening between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., when many residents had already retired to bed. The assailants reportedly burned down several houses, including the traditional ruler’s residence and his official vehicle. Those who could run escaped, while those who couldn’t were k!lled.”
Dabit explained that security agencies were not able to reach the attacked communities because they were hard to reach.
He said, “After the attack, we were not able to get to the villages because of the nature of the terrain.”
He also explained that security personnel were able to reach the community on Tuesday,.
However, he added, “By the time security arrived, it was too late due to the area’s difficult terrain and hard-to-reach location. Chakfem district shares boundaries with Quanpan LGA and parts of Nasarawa State, which provides attackers with entry points into our communities.”
The National President called on the federal government to prevent what he described as incessant attacks and k!llings of their members.
He said, “Unless the federal government does something urgently to protect helpless communities. They will suffer total annihilation. These attacks are not normal, and its frequencies speak volumes of the intention of the attackers who have deliberately avoided any public discourse on their intention.”
Some survivors of the attack recounted their harrowing experience, describing how they narrowly escaped the onslaught.
His Royal Highness, Da Raymond Yombish, a survivor, shared his ordeal.
He said: “When the attackers invaded the community, I managed to escape, leaving my official Jeep, but it was burnt down by the terror group. It was a devastating experience, given the large number of attackers.”
Another survivor, Sohotden Emmanuel, said he fled to a nearby farm for cover, stating that “When the attackers invaded our community, I ran to a farm and hid until they left. They attacked us by surprise, and their sheer numbers made them overwhelming. We were helpless, and only God could stop them. I called on the government to empower the community to defend itself.”
Mr. Dabit accused members of the Fulani community of launching the attack.
The National President of the MDA alleged that suspected attackers had made several attempts to invade their communities, but were unsuccessful until Monday night, when hundreds of attackers stormed the communities.
He said, “The attacked communities serve as their gateways. The attackers aim to reach the heart of Mangu. There have been several attempts at attacks before. This time, they succeeded. Their intention is to reach Mangu and eventually the heart of Mwaghavul. Their strategy is to move from one smaller community to another to achieve success, which is why they came in large numbers this time.”
He added that the attackers used four strategies to launch attacks in their bid to invade their territory.
He said, “There are four routes the Fulani use to invade. One is from the southern part, another from the west, and another from Gindiri and the northwest of Mangu. So, we have four gateways. Our people are always on the defensive. We don’t go out to attack the community.”
Reacting to the allegation, State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, denied the allegation. He said they were not responsible for the attack.
He said, “We condemn the attack and console those who lost their lives. However, the allegation was baseless. We don’t know anything about the incident. I call on the relevant security agencies to investigate the incident.”
