No fewer than 21 persons were yet again massacred by gunmen in Heipang community of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State despite military engagement in the state.
Confirming the attack, Spokesman of the military’s Special Task Force (STF) in the state, code-named Operation Safe Haven, Captain Ola James, said that the latest incident took place in the early hours of Thursday, August 10, at about 1:00 a.m.
James said that 21 persons were killed, while 13 others were critically injured and are receiving treatment in the hospital, adding that troops of the task force have been deployed to the community which is about 25 kilometres from Jos, the Plateau state capital.
He said: “There was an early warning signal that some bandits could launch attacks, which prompted the operation to mount checkpoints in the area. But the bandits followed another route and attacked the community. We have deployed our men to restore law and order in the area.”
Meanwhile, an eyewitness, Mr. John Pam, said that the attackers raided the village killing his brother, wife, and children, adding that the attack is the second on Heipang in one month.
Pam observed that the spate of attacks on villages in Plateau State by herdsmen has intensified in recent months despite the recent visit of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Taoreed Lagbaja to the state, who charged the soldiers to deal ruthlessly with the criminals.
During his visit to the state, the COAS who launched “Operation Hakorin Damisa IV” had charged his men to clamp down on the attackers, warning that they were not deployed there to play chess but to end the spate of attacks and killings in the local government and other parts of the state.
Hakorin Damisa in Hausa language is translated to mean Leopard’s teeth.
Also, eight special Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), several army-mounted Hilux vehicles, and motorcycles were unveiled for the operation which kicked off immediately.
Speaking while addressing the troops at the Mangu Mini Stadium, General Lagbaja urged the soldiers to do everything possible to stamp out the crises in the area, assuring them that every resource needed to succeed in the operation, both men and materials, would be made available to them.
He said: “You’re not here for a chess game but for a serious business. We will make sure that we address all the challenges you may encounter and for you to make sure that the crises do not resurge.
“I must begin by thanking you for what you have been doing to bring peace and stability to Mangu and Plateau State. As your chief of army staff, I have encapsulated my command philosophy which is to have a Nigerian Army that is well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated toward achieving our constitutional responsibility in a joint environment.
“That means you must work with other services; you must work with local communities. You are the people’s Army, when they send a distress call, you must respond as quickly as possible and when you do that, you give them feedback on what you have done. That is the way you build confidence and trust. As your COAS, my philosophy will be driven by leadership, operational effectiveness, and sound administration.
“You are not deployed here to play but to conduct an operation and you must do that and be guided by the rules of engagement. You must recover those weapons from whoever is carrying a military-grade weapon or any other weapon. You must not take sides. The GOC has briefed me about the challenges faced in the field and the need for more combat enablers.
“What we have brought here is the tip of the iceberg, we will give you the best to work with; we will take care of the communication, the motorcycles, and all your administrative issues, but please note that you must work effectively, we must see the results. This violence must be stamped out completely. I wish you the best.”
But unfortunately, the current massive attack was recorded less than two weeks after the charge was given by the COAS.
According to sources, there was an earlier attack at Heipang on Sunday night that claimed one Mr. Umar Idris believed to be a Fulani and a trader at a cattle market in the area.
The development degenerated into serious tension in the area with the military deploying troops to mount roadblocks around the area. But they could not prevent it as the attackers swooped on the community four days later killing at least 21.
In the aftermath of the killings, member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives, Dachung Musa Bagos, has expressed sadness and described the killings by the suspected herdsman as barbaric and condemnable, saying a situation where innocent and peaceful Plateau citizens are being killed in their sleep is unacceptable by people of conscience.
“Sadly, innocent citizens are being attacked and killed on daily bases in Plateau State, particularly in Barkin Ladi and Mangu, Riyom. Hundreds have lost their lives since May 2023 and villagers can’t go to the farm; several displaced person camps, land taken over, farmlands destroyed… what a wicked world.
“Just last week, five persons were killed in Mangu and now early this morning while innocent constituents were sleeping around 1:00 am, the attackers came and killed 21 persons without provocation. This is sad, barbaric and condemnable.
“I want to repeat again and again that all Plateau citizens must stand united against attackers and ensure the safety of our fatherland.”
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang also condemned the renewed onslaught on the people of the state and charged security agents to redouble their efforts, especially as Plateau has witnessed a spate of killingsxin recent months.
In June, Twenty-one people, including a cleric, were killed in Riyom and Barking Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
The residents said a group of gunmen invaded the communities when most inhabitants of the villages were sleeping.
The attacks happened hours after two herders, who were returning from herding their cattle, were shot dead in Fa’s, a village in Riyom LGA.
The spokesperson of the state police command, Alabo Alfred, confirmed the two incidents, adding that security personnel were on top of the situation.
Also in July, residents of Farinkasa Kerana and Sabon Gari communities in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State were on one Sunday thrown into mourning following fresh attacks by gunmen which left 12 persons dead.
A grieving resident, Mathew Habila, who confirmed the incidents said the victims were killed in their houses at night.
He lamented that the gunmen also set many houses on fire leaving the two communities deserted.
Habila said “We have our people killed again in another attack last night. This time,12 People were killed with several others injured, and many houses were burned by Fulani Militia at Farinkasa Kerana and Sabon gari communities in Mangu Districts of Mangu Local government.”
Making the call at a press conference in Jos shortly before the latest attacks, the National President of Mwaghavul Development Association, who are natives of Mangu local government, Chief Joseph Gwankat, alleged that since April 2023, members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria had attacked 53 communities and killed 204 persons in Mangu LGA, incidentally where the state Governor hails from.
He said, “It is in the public domain that MACBAN has been hiring foreign mercenaries to attack communities, including ours.”
He said villages have been deserted due to these attacks and have become grazing fields for the Fulani herders. He said more than 200 have been killed in 53 attacks over a period of two months in Mangu alone.
However, Nuru Abdullahi, MACBAN chairperson in the state, while responding to allegations that MACBAN was responsible for the latest killing, condemned the incident, describing it as barbaric, and blamed the security agencies for not responding swiftly before the attack was launched.
“We condemn the attack in its totality. It is also surprising that we are being accused of attacking the community. That is not true.
“We have learned that there was a warning signal there would be an attack on the community and the security agencies were informed. We are blaming the security for not responding on time. This must be stopped,” he said.
In the past four months, more than 360 people have been killed and thousands displaced across Plateau State.
Seriki Adinoyi, Chioma Kalu
Follow us on:
