More than 20 people have reportedly been killed after suspected gunmen attacked Binper community in Bwai District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The assailants reportedly stormed the community around midnight and continued their operation into the early hours of Tuesday, targeting residents in their homes.
According to reports, the attackers moved through the community from house to house, forcing their way into residences and attacking people while they slept.
The latest violence occurred less than a week after three people were killed amid heightened tensions between Fulani and Mwaghavul communities, which had exchanged accusations over incidents of arson.
National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA), Bulus Dabit, said the attackers arrived in large numbers and were armed with sophisticated weapons.
He said the assailants broke into homes, opened the doors of sleeping residents and launched attacks.
“The attackers in their numbers and with sophisticated weapons, moved from house to house, forcing their way in and attacking residents in their sleep, resulting in the casualty of those killed and others wounded,” Dabit said.
Dabit said the assault began on Monday night and extended into Tuesday morning, leaving several residents dead and others injured.
He put the number of confirmed fatalities at more than 20 as of Tuesday morning, adding that several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The MDA president further disclosed that some members of the community remained unaccounted for, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Police Command confirmed the incident.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, told DAILY POST that police personnel were still carrying out operations in the affected area and could not immediately provide further details.
Alabo said the command had yet to complete its assessment of the situation.
The latest incident adds to the security concerns in Mangu, where recurring communal tensions and attacks have previously resulted in deaths and displacement.
