Gunmen defy Gov Mutfwang’s 24-hour curfew, kill 20 in Plateau communities

Gunmen defied the 24-hour curfew declared by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang in Mangu by launching an attack on some communities in the area, killing about 20 persons.

It was gathered that the bandits attacked Kwahaslalek and surrounding communities in the early hours of Wednesday.

A source explained that the communities are not far from the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, permanent orientation camp at Jakatai, Mangu Local Government Area.

The source explained that the earlier incidents at Sabon Gari and Mangu on Tuesday were just a distraction, to divert attention from the villages.

He stated, “For the second time, my village Kwahaslalek (behind the NYSC camp) was attacked at about 12:30 am, leaving over 25 people, mostly women and children, dead.

“Houses were burnt and some persons escaped with gunshot injuries.”

He added that at about midnight, there were sporadic gunshots, forcing women to run into the community leader’s compound for safety.

He lamented that the terrorists went into the compound and killed the women, while the men were keeping vigil outside the community.

The source added that Mariana, Kinat and other communities in Mangu Halle District, and those on the borders of Mangu and Barkin Ladi local government areas, are deserted at the moment.