Scores were on Saturday, reportedly killed when men of the Nigerian army and gunmen clashed in two villages of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
This came after Governor Caleb Mutfwang relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on the area.
Mutfwang had said following the security improvement, the curfew should be from 8 am to 4 pm.
According to reports, about 30 gunmen were killed, while some soldiers sustained injuries during the clash at Satguru and Tyop villages.
A security operative, who requested anonymity, told Daily Trust, “The incident occurred between 7 to 7:30 am when the gunmen came in their numbers and started attacking some communities along Gindri road. In no time, the soldiers were alerted and immediately responded.
“About 30 of the gunmen were killed while more than 50 of them were arrested with guns and ammunition. Four soldiers were equally injured.”
However, the spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, a multi-security taskforce maintaining peace in the area, is yet to respond to the inquiries by the newsmen.
Plateau attack: Police arrest 17 suspects
The Informant247 had earlier reported that no fewer than 17 suspects had been arrested in connection with the Christmas Eve attacks in Bokkos and Barikin Ladi and those of the Mangu local government area of the state, where many people were killed and houses were burnt.
Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 4, Ebony Eyibio, represented by the spokesperson of the command, DSP Alabo Alfred, while parading the suspects at the headquarters of the state command, stated that nine of the suspects were arrested in connection with the Mangu violence, while eight were arrested in connection to the Bokkos and Barikin Ladi attacks.
The police did not disclose the identity of the suspects.
He said, ” On 24/01/24 at about 2200hrs, we received intelligence concerning an attack which was targeted on the Ntam community and the ASTC Company, both of Mangu LGA. Our team of agile Police officers from the IGP Special Intervention Squad stationed at the ASTC, in conjunction with the Area Commander Pankshin and the DPO, swung into action and thwarted the attempted attack.
“In a separate incident, an attempt by some criminal arsonists in Panyam District to set fire on some worship centers was prevented by swift intervention from the police and with help from some elders of the Community.”
Back story:
Despite the 24-hour curfew imposed on Magu Local Government Area of Plateau State by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the heights of insecurity in the state have continued to wreak havoc following a fresh attack which involved Killings and burning of houses.
According to a report, the violence continued as residents of Mangu confirmed that gunmen stormed several communities, shooting at everyone in sight while also burning houses, including the Sunnah Islamiya School located along the popular Gindiri Road.
Suleiman Muhammad, a resident of Mangu, told Daily Trust that “At around 9:30 am this morning, gunmen armed with sophisticated weapons came and started shooting sporadically. They burnt a lot of houses, including the Sunnah Islamiya school. Some persons were killed. They have overwhelmed the security personnel currently in Mangu. We are completely surrounded by the gunmen.”
“They burnt down our mosques and houses in Anguwan Femawa, Anguwan Hayi, Anguwan Kuwata and Anguwan Maijirgi – all in ward 2 of Mangu.”
The spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, maintaining peace in the area, Captain Oya James, is yet to respond to inquiries by our correspondent.
Plateau Gov Mutfwang imposes 24-hour curfew on Mangu LGA over insecurity
The Informant247 reports on Tuesday that Caleb Mutfwang, the Plateau State Governor, a 24-hour curfew in Mangu Local Government Area of the state with immediate effect as part of a move to curtail the continuous breach of peace and its attendant impacts in the state.
It would be recalled that violence has been resurgent in the LGA since last year, which has claimed hundreds of lives and property worth millions of naira.
The governor, which made the governor imposed the curfew in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.
The statement read, “Governor Mutfwang took the decision after consultations with the relevant security agencies. He stated that only persons on essential duties are allowed to move within the local government area until further notice.
“He urged all citizens, especially residents of Mangu Local Government Area, to comply with the directive and assist the security personnel by providing reliable information to restore peace and order in the area.
“The governor lamented that some people are still determined to create an atmosphere of insecurity in the state despite the government’s efforts to end the activities of terrorist elements.
“Mutfwang expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured and assured them that the government will not relent in ensuring lasting peace in the state.
“He promised that the curfew will be reviewed as soon as the security situation improves.”