The killing of innocent civilians in the hinterlands of Plateau State has continued unabated, as militia in their numbers had on Tuesday night invaded Kadunung village of Mangu Local Government of the State, killing 18 persons and leaving several others injured.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the Management Committee Chairman of Mangu Local Government, Hon Titus Bise, confirmed the attack, saying there over 150 houses were burnt by the attackers.

Bise said, “After the attack, I was part of the rescue team that evacuated the victims and so far we have recovered 11 bodies of people burnt in their houses.

“Apart from the 11 bodies we picked from various places, we also recovered 7 corpses of people burnt in their rooms. That makes 18 deaths so far, we suspect there are bodies in the bushes, some youths are still searching and more bodies might be recovered. But for now we have dead bodies which have been buried already.

“The attack has created serious humanitarian problems for government, we are talking of 5,000 residence of the village displaced, their houses were burnt the attackers.

“Though members of the communities are alleging that the gunmen are their Berom from local settlement, but that will be subject to confirmation after full investigation, I’m not in the position to confirm that now.

“Report also reaching me from Bauchi is that 1000 displaced people are already taking refuge in parts of Bauchi state, the neighboring villages are having more displaced people than they can cater for.

“The situation of the displaced is worse because rain season is at its peak, most of the displaced are in open rain, that alone can increase the casualties if nothing is done fast. I appreciate the security agencies, they are all over the village as well as surrounding”.

Also confirming the attack, Media officer of Operation Safe Haven, Captain Ikedichi Iweha said, “Its true there was an attack on Kadunung village, houses were burnt, residents were displaced.

“The troops got the information very late but we have taken over the general areas in search of the gunmen. But we can’t confirm who the attackers are because we are yet to arrest anyone. We will discovered the real attackers after our investigation.

However, a leader of the Berom vigilante group in Barkin Ladi LGA, Mr. Pam Bot denied the allegation, saying the Berom can never attack its neighbours.

Bot said, “This kind of attacks are that of the Fulani militias who are lurking around the boundary between Barkin Ladi and Mangu LGAs. I have received report of some of the gunmen who lost their lives in this particular attack is a confirmation that the attackers are Fulanis, not Berom.

“The entire Berom community is in sympathy with families who lost their loved ones in the attack”. He maintained.

Reacting to the incident, Governor Simon Lalong, in a press statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle, and made available to journalists in Jos, Wednesday.

It reads, “Following the unfortunate hostilities of yesterday, Tuesday, 15^th September, and the morning of Wednesday, 16^th September, 2015 between some boarder communities in Plateau State, the Executive Governor, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has called for calm on the part of all citizens particularly victims of the unfortunate attacks in the bordering communities of Kadunu and Fan of Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas respectively, which claimed many lives and properties.

“It is regrettable that as efforts are being made by Government to see to the end of violent conflict in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and parts of Jos South Local Government Areas, the State is faced with another communal crisis.

 “The Governor commends the Security Agencies for their prompt response in curtailing the escalation of the situation and the Management of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Comprehensive Centre, Gindiri for providing medical services to the injured.

He charged the Security Agencies to do the needful to forestall future occurrences and also directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to as a matter of urgency provide relief materials to all those affected in this senseless mayhem.

The Governor appeals to all citizens of the State to remain calm, embrace peace and not to take the law into their hands and to report all suspicious movements to the Security apparatus.

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18 killed and over 5,000 displaced in Kadunung – Mangu LGA