Residents of Plateau State have been plunged into another state of mourning, following a simultaneous midnight attacks that engulfed 17 livea in Villages of Mangu and Bokkos LGAs by suspected Fulani militants and their cohorts despite early warning signal given to the effect that armed Fulani would resume their hostile mission of annihilation immediately after Sallah celebration.
According to local source that pleads anonymity in Kopnanle village of Mangun District, Mangu LGA, ” the Fresh attacked on our village, Kopnale by suspected armed Fulani and jihadists numbering more than 50 was meted out at about 11:00pm of April 12, 2024….” As a result, 8 unsuspecting inhabitants, mostly children and a pastor were gruesomely murdered. List of those killed in Kopnale of Mangun, Mangu LGA are;
- Rev 1Daniel Shamlang (Age 50) male
- David Dapin (age 40) Male
- Hope Polycarp (age 17) Female
- Zenret Iliya (age 12) female
- Kwatpan Monday (age 9) Male
- Panan Iliya (age 6) Male
- Amswar (age 6) Male
- Sekyen Monday (age 12) Female
In another eyewitness’ account, it’s revealed that the attackers did not only kill, but burned some property including a Church and valuables.
After killings in Kopnale, “the militants moved to Mandung village of Mushu Tangur in Bokkos LGA, where 9 People had their lives terminated..” said an anonymous local source in Mandung settlement that lost the following persons
- James mashat (age 78) male
- Daniel Mashat (age 74) Male
- Yunana Mashat (age 65) Male
- Rifkatu Akila (age 68) Female
- Timothy Luka (age 22) Male
- Parkyen Daniel (age 22) Female
- Mwanret Mahan (age 26) Female
- Isreal Mahan (age 1) Male
- Zubairu Mafyai (age 40) Male.
The tragic incident is said to have inflicted physical injuries to some of the survivors while hundreds have been displaced from their ancestral homesteads, giving rise to surge of humanitarian challenges in the general area.
In view of the avoidable killings in Mangu and Bokkos as narrated, ECCVN hereby recommend as follows:
- Executive order, vacating all lands grabbed by terrorist elements, bandits and Fulani militants in the State;
- Humanitarian need assessment for possible immediate provision of basic necessities of life such as food, clothing and shelte.
- . Thorough investigation into the resumption of hostilities in the general area;
- . Provision of free medical attention for injured persons;
- Equipping of Local Security Outfits for rapid response before the arrival of Federal Security agents;
- Provision of scholarships for all students affected by the onslaughts; and7. Any other action deemed necessary in the circumstances.
By:
Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri,
Emancipation Centre for Crisis Victims in Nigeria-ECCVN
