- JNI condemns renewed violence
Twenty five persons were yesterday feared killed as armed criminals invaded Kwahaslalek and surrounding communities of Mangu Local Government in Plateau State in defiance of the 24-hour curfew emplaced by the state government.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Tuesday declared 24-hour curfew with immediate effect in Mangu to address resumed terror attacks in the local government area.
Less than 24-hours after the declaration, the invaders struck in the early hours yesterday, setting several homes ablaze and killing mostly women and children.
Although official sources were yet to speak on the attack, a resident, Hosea Ibrahim, said the skirmish that happened at Mangu Town was a decoy to pave the way for the attack on the community, located not far from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp at Jakatai.
He said: “What happened at Sabon Gari and Mangu on Tuesday was just a distraction so that people’s attention will be shifted away from the villages.
“For the second time my village Kwahaslalek (Behind NYSC camp) was attacked at about 12:30am leaving over 25 people mostly women and children killed as houses were burnt and some persons left with gun shots.
“At about midnight there were sporadic gunshots and the women ran to one compound for safety. Unfortunately, the terrorists went there and killed them while the men were keeping vigil outside the community.
“The victims were killed at a community leader’s house where they ran for refuge.
The Mairana, Kinat and other communities in Mangu Halle District and those on the borders of Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local government areas are deserted now.”
However, a security personnel who preferred anonymity said, “Mangu town is calm but we were called in the early hours of today about a development around the communities close to the NYSC camp, our people are there but the deed had been done.
Spokesman of Operation Safe Haven, Army Captain James Oya, was yet to respond to enquiries from our Correspondent at the time of this report.
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Meanwhile, the Plateau State chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has condemned resumed violence in Mangu, calling on the government and security agencies to imtensify efforts towards safeguarding the people.
The group in a statement by its secretary, Dr. Salim Musa Umar, condemned the attack on places of worship, noting that the implementation of the curfew declared by the government seemed to be problematic despite the measure being timely.
“Unfortunately, the implementation becomes problematic because the security personnel are obviously overstretched while some are allegedly compromised.
“Reports from Mangu town this morning are not encouraging as places of worship and faith-based schools were torched and demolished while the killing continues again.
“Residents are decrying the negative role of the state government’s security outfit codenamed ‘Operation Rainbow’, accusing them of glaring partisanship.
We call on the government and security agencies to intensify their efforts in securing the lives and properties of the inhabitants of Mangu and other flashpoints.
“All concerned should also do everything possible to prevent any possible escalation.
Security agents should be on the lookout for possible infiltrators as it is widely alleged that some hired killers are on the prowl with the intent to carry out massive attacks.
“This is an act that shouldn’t be allowed to happen. All hands must be on deck and by all relevant stakeholders to restore peace and order in Mangu LGA and other affected communities…”