A communal clash between two communities of Fungzai and neighbouring Kubat in the newly created district of Bwai in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State has resulted in the death of over sixty people, including women and children.
Clifford Daten, a spokesperson for the youth wing leader of Bwai, who spoke with OsunDaily on the phone said twenty people, including children, were killed during the night while dozen of houses were burnt by their attackers who he said were the Fulanis.
Chairman, Miyetti Allah Mangu local government area, Yahaya Bello, speaking with The Gazette, blamed the people of Bwai district for the attack.
He said over fifty of his people were killed and houses burnt while their cattle were rustled.
However, police spokesman in the state, DSP Alfred Alebo, while confirming the attack to OsunDaily, refused to give any figure of casualties.
He said investigation was ongoing to ascertain the extent of destruction and the number of people killed.
“I will give you an update as soon as investigation is concluded ‘ he said.
In a statement by Gov. Simon Lalong, through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Tuesday in Jos, the governor expressed sadness that the attack claimed the lives of some persons including women and children.
Mr Lalong ordered security operatives to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“The government will stop at nothing to ensure that those behind this scheme are dealt with mercilessly. This is an act that can neither be tolerated nor excused no matter the motivation,” he said.
The governor commiserated with the victims while ordering the State Emergency Management Agency and the State Peace Building Agency to visit the area and ascertain the humanitarian needs of those affected.
