At least 24 people were reportedly killed when armed gunmen attacked Bin-Per community in Kombun District, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving residents traumatised and several families devastated.
The attack occurred between the night of Monday, August 17, and the early hours of Tuesday, August 18, when the assailants reportedly stormed the community and opened fire on local vigilantes before moving from house to house.
Residents said the attackers forced their way into homes and targeted people who were asleep. Several houses were reportedly set ablaze, while farmlands, crops and stored food were destroyed.
An eyewitness, Daniel Musa, described the attack as terrifying, saying the gunmen went from one house to another and attacked residents inside their homes.
The extent of the tragedy became more disturbing as residents recounted the loss of entire families. One resident, Fangwsak James, said eight members of a family were killed in one compound, with only a two-year-old child surviving despite sustaining gunshot wounds to the leg and hip.
Another resident, Shedrack Ayuba, said he lost his wife and four children. Ayuba, who was reportedly keeping watch with other vigilantes when the attack began, said he was shot in the leg while trying to escape.
Ronbak Maxwell, another resident, said the gunmen first attacked vigilantes before splitting into groups and advancing into the community. He said calls for help were made, but assistance did not arrive quickly enough.
Residents alleged that the attackers strategically positioned themselves around the community, making it difficult for people to escape. They said women and children accounted for many of the casualties.
Following the killings, women from Bin-Per staged a peaceful protest, carrying leaves and demanding urgent action from the government. They said the attacks had destroyed families, livelihoods and the sense of security in the community.
The Plateau State House of Assembly also raised concerns over the attack. The lawmaker representing Mangu South Constituency, Dr Matthew Sylvester Kwarpo, said more than 25 people were killed in Bin-Per and nearby communities. He added that 38 houses, farmlands, barns containing food and other valuables were destroyed.
Kwarpo called for stronger security measures, improved intelligence gathering and faster deployment of security personnel to vulnerable communities.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang subsequently directed security agencies to intensify surveillance and patrols in Bin-Per, Kombun District and other vulnerable parts of Mangu.
The governor condemned the attack, sympathised with the victims and urged residents to avoid reprisal attacks while providing useful information to security agencies.
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The Plateau State Police Commissioner, CP Ayodeji Faniyan, also visited the community and assured residents that the command would identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible.
Meanwhile, the Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives, PIDAN, Central Zone, called for a state of emergency on security in affected communities.
The organisation said recurring attacks could no longer be addressed through condolences and condemnations alone, urging authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, early-warning systems, rapid-response mechanisms and community security arrangements.
The latest attack has renewed concerns over the security situation in Mangu and other vulnerable communities across Plateau State.
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