96 houses destroyed in Plateau community as violence escalates

At least 96 houses were destroyed on Monday during a violent attack in the Gyenbwas community, Langai District of Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State.

Eyewitnesses and residents reported that the attackers looted food supplies, mattresses, cattle, and other valuables before setting homes ablaze. The traditional ruler of the area, Alhaji Yakubu Umar, also known as the Madugun Langai, confirmed the destruction and loss of life in an interview on Tuesday in Jos.

According to him, the death toll has risen to three, with two people confirmed dead on Monday and another body recovered the following day.

“This is the worst destruction we have ever witnessed,” Umar said. “They burned clothing, work equipment, foodstuffs, and goods worth millions of naira. We have always lived peacefully with everyone, so this came as a shock.”

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The community accused members of the Berom ethnic group of carrying out the attack. However, the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) strongly denied any involvement, calling the allegations baseless.

BYM President, Dalyop Solomon, stated that three Berom youths were attacked by suspected terrorists while working on a farm near the area. He claimed they were now receiving treatment in a hospital.

“Our people are being attacked constantly,” Solomon said. “Some are only defending themselves, which is lawful. If, in the process, there’s retaliation, it is not an organized assault. We have never planned or carried out any attack on Fulani communities.”

Efforts to get a response from Operation Safe Haven, the joint military task force responsible for security in the region, were unsuccessful as spokesperson Major Samson Zhakom did not respond to inquiries.

The attack in Gyenbwas comes amid a series of violent incidents across Plateau State. In recent weeks, particularly in Riyom Local Government Area, 58 people have reportedly been killed, 31 injured, and more than 15,000 displaced due to attacks by armed groups.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Plateau Youth Council (PYC) Chairman Zang Davou decried what he described as coordinated and unrelenting violence. He called for urgent intervention by the federal government, including the deployment of additional security forces to protect vulnerable communities.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, troops in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area successfully ambushed and neutralized three suspected bandits, recovering arms and ammunition as part of ongoing operations to counter insecurity in the state.