The peaceful communities of Bwai and Chisu, located in the Mangu local government area of Plateau State, were tragically targeted in a ruthless invasion that led to the loss of at least 14 lives.
According to a report from POLITICS NIGERIA, the attack occurred during the late hours of Tuesday night when the assailants launched a sudden assault while the residents were unsuspectingly asleep. The attackers set homes ablaze and inflicted widespread devastation upon the communities, leaving behind a scene of profound sorrow and destruction.Bamshak Ishaya, a concerned citizen, provided a chilling account of the distressing events, recounting the merciless actions carried out by Fulani militias during the night. He revealed that several individuals were ruthlessly killed at the residence of a Community Leader in Chisu village around 11:00 pm on Tuesday. The violence extended to the COCIN RCC Church in Bwai, located along the Mangu-Bokkos road, which was deliberately targeted and set ablaze. Numerous houses, vehicles, and tricycles were also destroyed in the attack. In response to the sound of sporadic gunshots, terrified residents of Chisu sought shelter at the house of their community leader. Tragically, the attackers set the house on fire, leading to the discovery of 11 charred bodies the following morning. Efforts to locate any additional victims are currently underway.
Mr. Markus Artu, the Interim Management Committee Chairman of Mangu LGA, acknowledged the incident, although he admitted to lacking specific details at that time.Mr. Artu expressed his efforts to gather accurate information surrounding the tragic event, conducting an on-the-spot assessment personally to obtain precise details. He acknowledged conflicting reports, with security agencies claiming they repelled an attempted attack while other sources provided different accounts. Mr. Artu mentioned that there were reports of assailants attempting to burn down the church but facing resistance. As of now, he emphasized that he could not provide concrete facts as the available information was speculative. He assured that once verified details were obtained, they would be shared with the public.
Supporting the incident, Mr. Bala Fwangje, the Member representing Mangu South Constituency in the State Assembly, expressed his grief over the tragic events but admitted to not having full knowledge of the extent of the attack. Mr. Fwangje disclosed that late the previous night, distressing news arrived about the invasion of Chisu and Bwai by Fulani herdsmen. He further revealed that in the morning, it was devastating to learn that approximately 14 people lost their lives, numerous houses were destroyed, and properties were burned. However, Mr. Fwangje also acknowledged that comprehensive information about the incident was still awaited.
This newspaper learnt that efforts to obtain an official statement from the State Police Command were unsuccessful.
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