As gunmen renewed their attacks in Plateau State after a short break, no fewer than 38 people, mostly women and children, were brutally killed by the rampaging gunmen in a midnight raid in Mangu local government area of the state on Tuesday.
DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident in a statement.
Alabo said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, who described the incident as unfortunate has directed immediate deployment of armed personnel to the area.
”The commissioner of police expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident that has claimed the lives of yet to be identified persons from various villages within the area.
”At about 11:56 p.m. on Tuesday, we received a distress call from one of our Police officers in charge of Tanknale village of Mangu, that some gunmen were shooting sporadically in a nearby village.
”The commissioner immediately mobilised all assets in the command to the scene to ensure that the suspects are arrested and brought to book.
”Further information from the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), ACP Bawa Sale, who was also present at the scene, reveals that with help from other security agencies in the command, the hoodlums were chased away,”he said.
He explained that due to the superior fire power of the security personnel, the hoodlums abandoned four motorcycles, a Sharon vehicle and some items used for their nefarious activities.
”As we speak, the culprits are on the run while our officers are still on their trail with the aim to ensure that they are neutralised and arrested,”he added.
Alabo maintained that the commissioner of police has called on residents of the area to remain peaceful adding that security agencies have modalities on ground to nip the criminals.
He also called on the residents with useful information to avail it to the security agencies for prompt action.
In Kubat village, through which the gunmen attacked the Fungzai community, no fewer than nine people were also killed and houses burned by the attackers.
It was learned that the village at the moment is deserted, as most of the survivors have taken to their heels and are now taking refuge in neighboring communities.
Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has condemned the overnight attack on Kubat Village in Mangu Local Government, where some people, including women and children, were reportedly killed, and directed security forces to pursue the attackers and ensure they are arrested.
The Governor, in a statement signed by the Director of Press, Makut Simon Macham described this as yet another attempt by crisis merchants and criminals to return the state to the dark days of pain and agony, vowing that the government will stop at nothing to ensure that those behind this scheme are dealt with mercilessly.
While condemning the act, the governor commiserates with the victims and assures them that the murderers will not be allowed to go unpunished, as this is an act that can neither be tolerated nor excused, no matter the motivation.
The Governor has equally directed the State Emergency Management Agency and the Peace Building Agency to visit the area and ascertain the humanitarian need to bring succor to the affected while a thorough investigation is being carried out.
Piqued by the unfortunate development, the Chairman of Mangu Local Government Council, Hon. Daniel Daput, has imposed a 24-hour curfew in the council.
The Chairman, in a statement, directed security agencies to ensure full compliance with the curfew and called on the people of the area to remain calm as security agencies have been mobilized to all the affected communities.
He therefore sympathized with the affected families and assured them that the council will work closely with the security agencies to bring those behind the evil act to book.
