KILLING FIELDS: Despite special military operation, Plateau communities suffered monthly attacks in 2023

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Imagine living in a community infamous for being a slaughterhouse. Such is the fate of the residents of Bokkos, Mangu, Barkin-Ladi LGAs, and other communities in Plateau state.

Over the weekend, over 115 people were killed following an attack on several communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi LGAs of Plateau by gunmen. The attack also spread to Mangu LGA.

As usual, the incident has been followed by public outcries, condolence messages, and promises by the authorities to arrest the situation and prevent a recurrence.

But it always happens, over and over again, so much so that the killings in Plateau have become a monthly thing on national and international headlines. The death tolls are almost always higher than the official figures.

Mangu and other frequently attacked LGAs have received special attention in recent months—a presidential order and a special military operation. However, the killings have persisted and seem to have defied all odds.

In July, the house of representatives asked Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), to declare a national emergency on killings in Plateau. The lawmakers passed the resolution following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Dachung Bagos, a lawmaker from Plateau.

In the same month, the Nigerian army said more manpower and equipment had been deployed to address the incessant attacks and killings in Mangu LGA and other communities in Plateau state. This was in addition to the division’s headquarters already stationed in the LGA.

Taoreed Lagbaja, chief of army staff (COAS), also inaugurated “Operation Hakorin Damisa IV”, a special operation to tackle insecurity in the state.

Hakorin Damisa, which means “Tiger’s teeth”, was launched in Mangu on July 22.

In August, the Plateau state government established a security and information centre (SIC) to provide residents with access to report developments in their locations.

Caleb Mutfwang, the governor, said the initiative will enable the state to address its security challenges.

Mutfwang also unveiled the state-owned security outfit known as Operation Rainbow in November with the passing out of 600 personnel.

Checks by TheCable showed that despite these efforts, Plateau communities recorded attacks every month in 2023, with over 300 lives lost.

JANUARY

Three persons were killed on January 2 in Rafin Bauna community in the Bassa LGA.

The victims were on their way from Dutsen Kura to Rafin Bauna when they were ambushed and killed by the assailants.

Simon Lalong, who was Plateau governor then, directed security agencies to arrest the perpetrators and conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

FEBRUARY

Three persons were reportedly killed during an attack on Maiyanga community in Bokkos on Febraury 5.

Two other persons were also injured in the attack.

One of the deceased was identified as Maham Maram, a retired police officer.

MARCH

Musa Hyok, a reverend, and his two sons were killed on March 5 after an invasion of the Ganawuri community in Riyom LGA of the state.

Alfred Alabo, the Plateau police spokesperson, said the death of the cleric, who was a priest of the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN), came days after an incident happened on a market day that led to the deaths of three people.

APRIL

A lot of residents were killed when at least four communities in Mangu and Bokkos LGAs were attacked in the early hours of April 17.

Lalong, the state governor at the time of the attack, ordered security forces to fish out the culprits.

Makut Macham, Lalong’s press and public affairs director, said the swift intervention of security agencies doused the tension in the communities.

However, Mangu was attacked again one month later.

MAY

More than 30 persons were reportedly killed in an attack by gunmen in Bwoi, Mangu on May 16.

The police command in the state deployed some personnel to repel the attack. The assailants were overpowered, and they fled, but not without leaving a trail of bodies behind.

Keoleh Saleh, president of the Baptist Conference in Plateau, said 50 members of the church, including a pastor, were killed in the attacks in Mangu and Barkin Ladi.

JUNE

On June 11, over 20 people, including Nichodemus Kim, a reverend of the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN), were killed by gunmen.

The cleric was killed in Barkin Ladi LGA, while twenty other people were also killed in Riyom LGA.

Rwang Tengwong, national publicity secretary of the Berom Youth Movement (BYM), a socio-cultural group, said the communities were attacked simultaneously, adding that the attacks were highly coordinated.

Mutfwang said over 150 people were killed in Mangu in three weeks.

JULY

On July 8, at least nine people were killed in the Sabon Gari community in Mangu LGA of Plateau state.

Jerry Datim, one of the leaders in the community, said six houses were also razed during the attack.

Reacting to the attack, Mutfwang imposed a 24-hour curfew on Mangu.

Abdusalam Abubakar, commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), in Plateau, said he had temporarily relocated his base to Mangu.

To cap it all, President Bola Tinubu ordered the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the attack.

AUGUST

In the wee hours of August 10, some gunmen launched an attack on Baton and Rayogot in Heipang, Barkin Ladi, killing at least 21 people.

Seven other people sustained injuries during the attack.

Four days later, suspected gunmen killed a newly wedded couple who were teachers at BECO Comprehensive High School, Kwi, in Riyom LGA.

The teachers were reportedly holding a meeting in preparation for their prize-giving day when the gunmen invaded.

The gunmen also injured the vice principal of the school during the attack.

Alfred Alabo, police spokesperson, who confirmed the incident, said the command was “on top of the situation”.

SEPTEMBER

At least 10 corpses were said to have been recovered after the Kulben community in Gindiri district of Mangu LGA came under attack on September 10.

According to Jerry Datim, a resident of the community, the assailants shot sporadically as the people fled for their lives.

He said the villagers alerted the security personnel, but the gunmen had left when they arrived.

On September 23, Adamu Gabdo, a leader of Fulani herders, was killed in the Panyam community in Mangu LGA.

Taoreed Lagbaja, the chief of army staff (COAS), ordered men of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) to apprehend the assailants in 48 hours.

OCTOBER 

Nine persons were killed on October 1 after gunmen attacked Adu village in Kwal District of Bassa.

According to PUNCH, Nuhu Bitrus, spokesman for the Miango Youths Development Association,  said the incident changed the Independence Day celebration mood of the community to mourning.

NOVEMBER

Six men and one lady were killed on November 30 by gunmen during an attack in Pukah and Pinper communities in Mangu.

DECEMBER 

On December 10, gunmen killed four people in Dungwel community in Mangu.

Oya James, spokesperson for the military taskforce, said information gathered by the troops was that the target of the attack was the village head.

James said the gunmen burnt the house of the village head with his family members inside but they were able to escape with the timely intervention of troops.

The most recent of the attacks occurred on December 24 where more than 115 people were confirmed dead following attacks by gunmen on communities in Bokkos and Barikin-Ladi LGAs.

The gunmen launched the attacks on the residents of the two LGAs, including Mangu, at about 10pm on Christmas Eve.

Reacting to the incident, Tinubu, in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, directed “immediate mobilisation” of relief materials for victims of the attacks.

The president also directed security operatives to ensure the culprits were apprehended.

In a review of killings and kidnappings in 2022, TheCable Index, the data and research arm of TheCable, reported that Plateau—alongside Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Benue—accounted for 40 per cent of the 4,545 people killed during the year.

OTHER ISSUES ON PLATEAU SECURITY CRISIS

Mutfwang claimed during an interview in September that some politicians are supporting the perpetrators of crises in the state, adding that they have questions to answer over the recurring crises.

He also claimed that there were some sponsored attacks in the state three months before he was sworn in as governor.

Earlier in July, Dachung Bagos, a member of the house of representatives from the state, said citizens have the right to defend themselves against violent attacks.

The legislator, representing the Jos south/Jos north federal constituency of Plateau, specifically asked his constituents to defend themselves in the face of assault.

He said the provisions of the 1999 constitution give citizens the right to “self-defence and the right to exercise it”.

An eye for an eye, but how far will this help in halting the bloodshed and age-long conflict in the state?