No fewer than 96 houses were razed and three persons confirmed dead following a renewed attack on Gyenbwas community in Langai District of Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State.
The incident, which occurred between Monday and Tuesday, left the agrarian settlement in ruins as suspected armed assailants looted food items, livestock, and household valuables estimated to be worth millions of naira.
The traditional ruler of Langai, Alhaji Yakubu Umar, confirmed the development in a statement made available to journalists in Jos on Tuesday. He described the attack as the worst the community has ever witnessed.
“We have never experienced such an atrocity,” the Madugun Langai said.
“The attackers not only burnt homes and farmlands, but also carted away foodstuffs, mattresses, clothing, and working equipment. Goods worth millions have been looted. We have always lived peacefully with our neighbours, which is why this attack came as a shock.”
Umar disclosed that while two persons were initially confirmed dead on Monday, the discovery of another body on Tuesday brought the death toll to three.
He called on the Plateau State Government and Mangu LGA authorities to launch a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.
He also appealed for immediate humanitarian aid for displaced residents who lost their homes and livelihoods.
Residents have pointed fingers at members of the Berom ethnic group, alleging their involvement in the assault.
However, the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM) Association has categorically denied the allegations, blaming Fulani elements instead for repeated attacks in the area.
Reacting to the allegations, President of BYM, Dalyop Solomon, described the claims as unfounded and an attempt to distort the truth.
“Three of our members who were working on their farms around the area were attacked by terrorists and are currently receiving treatment in hospital,” Solomon said.
“Fulani groups are simply making excuses to justify terror attacks on our people.”
He noted that the Berom community has not launched any attack on Fulani settlements, insisting that any confrontation must have been a case of self-defense.
“Whenever our people are attacked, they have the right under the law to defend themselves, their families, and property. If in the course of this defense the attackers are pursued, that should not be misconstrued as an offensive attack.”
The Plateau State Government is yet to issue an official statement on the latest violence, but calls for a coordinated security response and relief efforts are growing louder.
Community leaders and civil society groups have urged the state government to act swiftly to prevent further escalation and to ensure that those responsible, regardless of ethnicity or affiliation, are held accountable.
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