Several residents of settlements in Jwak Maitumbi community, Mangu LGA of Plateau state, have been feared killed by a rampaging militia.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, reported
that about 45 residential shelters and huge quantities of crops were also
destroyed during the attack.
Makama said the incident was reported at about 7:45am on
Sunday, prompting troops to move to the affected community.
A military security source told Zagazola Makama that upon
arrival, the troops discovered that about 45 houses had been destroyed, while
valuables belonging to residents were looted by the assailants.
“In the early hours of the attack, several residents were
gunned down by the attackers before slaughtering them,” Makama said.
“The attack immediately triggered mass displacement with
women, children and the elderly running for safety.
“The assailants also reportedly entered farms belonging to
Fulani residents and used cutlasses to destroy a large quantity of crops.
“Following the incident, troops summoned the Galadima and
youth leader of Jwak Maitumbi community, directing the community leadership to
assist security agencies in identifying and producing those responsible for the
attack.
“The development is particularly sensitive because the
conflict in parts of Plateau has frequently been characterised by tit-for-tat
attacks, in which an attack on one community is followed by retaliation against
another community, often resulting in further deaths, destruction of property
and displacement.”
Makama said the destruction of the shelters and crops could
become a trigger for revenge if affected residents or their associates believe
that the perpetrators have not been identified or brought to justice.
The publication noted that failure to establish
accountability could deepen perceptions of impunity and increase the temptation
for affected communities to seek their own form of justice.
“Plateau has experienced several episodes of this nature,
with targeted attacks and reprisals often spreading beyond the location where
the initial incident occurred,” Makama said.
“The danger is that the latest incident could similarly be
interpreted through the lens of previous attacks rather than as an isolated
criminal act.
“The intervention was aimed at ensuring accountability and
preventing possible reprisal attacks capable of escalating tensions between
communities in the area.
“Troops have continued to dominate the general area while
engaging community and traditional leaders as part of efforts to de-escalate
tensions, prevent retaliatory violence and restore calm.”
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