The attack occurred two days ago in the Sabon Gari community of Mangu LGA, where numerous lives were lost and houses were set ablaze. The assailants struck at around 9:45 pm on Sunday, catching the unsuspecting victims off guard as they were returning home after their day's activities.
Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders, provided harrowing details of the incident. "At about 9:45 pm on Sunday night, 09/10/2023, eight persons, including an eight-month-old baby, were murdered by gunmen at Farin Lamba, Vwang District of Jos South Local Government Area," he revealed.
Tengwong further expressed concern over the continued reign of terror unleashed by bandits on innocent citizens in communities across Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, and Mangu Local Government Areas, particularly in the aftermath of the 2023 General Elections.
The innocent baby and her father, who fell victim to this senseless act of violence, were tragically returning from the hospital when their lives were abruptly cut short. Prior to this unprovoked attack, several communities in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, and Mangu Local Government Areas had already suffered deliberate destruction of farmlands and the provocative grazing of over 300 hectares of land. Additionally, there have been daily ambushes and killings of innocent individuals in Riyom LGA along the Abuja highway.
Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri, Esq., the leader of Berom Youth Moulders, unequivocally condemned the attack and other forms of provocation inflicted upon innocent people of Plateau State since the conclusion of the 2023 General Elections. The community is left mourning the loss of precious lives and grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event.
However, the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the state claimed to be unaware of the reported attack. Nuru Abdullahi, MACBAN State Chairman, refuted the allegations, stating, "We are not aware of what they are accusing us of. Anytime an attack occurs, the Fulani communities are often blamed. So, this is not new to us. As far as MACBAN is concerned, the accusation is misleading."
Despite the denial, the group appealed for an increased deployment of security personnel to cover communities in Barkin Ladi and Jos South Local Government Areas, expressing concerns for the safety of the residents.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Plateau State Police Command, including spokesperson DSP Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as no official statement or communication was provided at the time of filing this report. The community remains in mourning, seeking answers, justice, and intensified efforts to ensure the safety and security of its inhabitants.