At least 30 people were reportedly killed and several others injured after gunmen suspected to be terrorists attacked Jwak Maitumbi community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday.
The attackers, said to number more than 100, also reportedly set fire to over 50 houses, food barns and other properties during the assault.
A resident, Lonji Zuhumnan, who is also a youth leader in the community, confirmed the attack to DAILY POST on Monday morning.
Zuhumnan said the gunmen, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the community at about 7:30am and opened fire, sending residents fleeing for safety.
According to him, the attackers continued shooting for several hours, killing and injuring residents before setting buildings and food storage facilities ablaze.
“Our community, Jwak Maitumbi, came under severe attack yesterday (Sunday) morning,” Zuhumnan said.
“The Fulani terrorists numbering over 100 and carrying sophisticated weapons stormed the village at about 7:30am as people were either in churches or preparing to go to their worship centres.
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“They started shooting sporadically while the residents scampered for safety, and in the process, several people were gunned down by the attackers.
“At the end of the carnage, we counted over 30 dead bodies while several others were injured. Apart from the people they slaughtered, the terrorists also burned down over 50 houses, shops, health centres, churches and food barns.
“They also entered our farms and destroyed crops planted. While the assailants were having a field day, frantic calls made to security personnel in Mangu were futile as the soldiers did not come until the attackers had finished their mission and fled into the bushes and rocks,” the youth leader said.
Zuhumnan said the destruction extended beyond homes, with shops, churches, health facilities and large quantities of harvested and growing crops reportedly affected.
He alleged that residents made repeated distress calls to security personnel during the attack but received no timely intervention.
The gunmen reportedly escaped into surrounding bushes and rocky areas after carrying out the attack.
The incident adds to the series of deadly attacks and communal violence that have continued to affect parts of Plateau State, particularly communities in areas where tensions over land, security and communal relations remain high.