- Governor imposes 24-hour curfew in council
Gunmen have killed 12 persons in coordinated attacks on two communities in Mangu local government area of Plateau state.
The aftermath of the deadly attacks by militias, occurred at about 10:30pm on Saturday night at Farinkasa Kerana and Sabon Gari communities.
Many people were said to have sustained injuries and several houses raised by the criminals.
Nine deaths were recorded at Sabon Gari and three in Farinkasa Kerana.
A community leader, Jerry Datim, confirmed the attacks in Jos yesterday.
Datim, who is the National President of the Global Society for Middle Belt Heritage, said:
”Last night (Saturday night), gunmen launched deadly attack on my village, Sabon Gari in Mangu, burnt six houses and destroyed many other properties.
”So far, we have recovered nine bodies; we are still searching because some people are still missing.”
Datim, however, hailed personnel of Operation Rainbow, a state government local security outfit for responding swiftly to the attack.
”I wish to commend men of operation rainbow; their swift response brought the situation under control.
”We call on government to support them with necessary logistics for prompt response,” he said.
Asked if the community was deserted, Datim said the people had resolved to remain and defend their ancestral lands.
Also, the Mwaghavul Youth President, Sunday Dankaka, was said to have been attacked with a matchet by the invaders and was responding to treatment.
Spokesman for Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Capt. James Oya, confirmed the incident, but didn’t mentioned the number of deaths recorded.
He said the Commander of the Operation, Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, was leading troops to the scene of the attack.
Abubakar, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, moved to the area barely 24 hours after he assumed command.
According to the commander, the move would enable him work in synergy with the local authority to mitigate the situation.
“’I have relocated the headquarters of OPSH here so we can work with the local authority. We will stay here until we stabilise the situation
“The governor is disturbed with the happenings, and that is why I am personally here to lead my troops.
“We won’t allow the situation to deteriorate further. We are not here to joke; and so we will be decisive, fair and firm,” Abubakar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Meanwhile, Govenror Caleb Mutfwang has imposed 24-hour curfew in Mangu to restore law and order
A statement by Gyang Bere, Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor said there would be restriction of movements within the local government area till further notice.
He explained that only security personnel and those on essential duties would be exempted from the curfew, charging security agencies yo ensure total enforcement of the curfew.