Several residents killed as gunmen attack Plateau communities

Gunmen have attacked at least four communities in Mangu and Bokkos LGAs of Plateau state.

TheCable understands that suspected bandits invaded the communities on Sunday night, and unleashed a wave of violence.

Although the casualty figure is yet to be ascertained, several residents are believed to have died in the attack.

Simon Lalong, the Plateau state governor, has ordered security forces to fish out persons behind the attacks.

In a statement on Monday, Makut Macham, Lalong’s press and public affairs director, quoted the governor as saying the attackers must be “brought to justice without delay”.

He said the swift intervention of security agencies has doused the tension in the communities.

“The attacks are another attempt to reintroduce the era of violence and crises which have been largely contained due to the government’s huge investment in security, peacebuilding and reconciliation,” the governor said.

“While commiserating with those who lost their lives and properties, the Governor directed the Peace Building Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency to immediately reach out to the victims with support.”

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 percent of the 4,545 people killed during the year.