At least eight people were confirmed dead on Tuesday night when armed men attacked Chicim community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attackers stormed the village around 10:00 p.m., shooting indiscriminately and causing panic among residents. The community, located just about one kilometre from Mangu town, was reportedly asleep when the gunmen launched their surprise attack.
Eyewitnesses described the incident as a “commando-style operation.” A resident, Kespan Iliya, told reporters that the assailants fired at anyone they saw, leaving multiple casualties behind.
“They came in the night while we were sleeping and started shooting everywhere. People ran for their lives. It was terrifying,” Iliya said.
Apart from the eight people who were killed, three others sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a nearby medical facility.
The same day, a separate attack was reported in Gyenbwas, a community in Langai district, also within Mangu LGA. In that attack, over 96 houses were set ablaze, further deepening the humanitarian crisis in the area.
The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the incident. In a statement released by Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, has deployed more officers to the affected communities.
According to the statement, CP Adesina also visited the scene of the attacks and commiserated with families who lost loved ones.
Tuesday night’s attack is the latest in a string of violent incidents in Plateau State, which has seen ongoing clashes between armed groups and local communities. In recent months, the Mangu area has been a hotspot for violence, resulting in dozens of deaths and the destruction of property.
Local leaders and residents have repeatedly called on both federal and state governments to step up security in the region and bring the perpetrators to justice.
As of the time of this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and no arrests have been announced. Security forces have launched an investigation.
