At least 50 killed in second mass killing in Plateau in a month

At least 50 villagers were brutally killed over a two-day period in Mangu area of Plateau state, the second mass killing in less than a month in a region grappling with a history of violence between nomadic cattle herders and farming communities.

According to residents and local leaders, the attack happened after Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang imposed a 24-hour curfew in Mangu on Monday, following an outbreak of unrest that saw people attacked and places of worship torched.

Despite the curfew, the violence persisted. The Mwaghavul Development Association community association said gunmen stormed villages in Mangu on Monday and Tuesday firing on residents and setting fire to houses. Reports of the attacks were delayed because of difficulty in accessing the area, according to the Associated Press.

Lawrence Kyarshik, spokesman for the Mwaghavul Development Association community group, said the affected communities in the latest fighting were alerted of the impending attack but did not receive any assistance from security agencies.

“The MDA (Mwaghavul Development Association) frowns at the activities of some of the military personnel who appear to be complacent in carrying out the constitutional duties they swore to protect all citizens of the country irrespective of tribe and religion,” Mr Kyarshik said in a statement.

History of violence

Plateau state witnessed nearly 200 deaths on December 24. No group took responsibility for the two attacks, but locals blamed Fulani herders, accused of carrying out multiple mass killings in multiple parts of central Nigeria.

Earlier this week, the leader of the Fulani pastoralist group Miyetti Allah was arrested, according to news report. The government has not commented on the arrest, which came a week after the group launched a vigilante militia group of more than a thousand people. The group said the vigilante unit will help fight insecurity.

The recent wave of violence has reignited public anger, particularly directed at President Bola Tinubu, who assumed office last year with promises to tackle Nigeria’s security crisis. The failure to curb the bloodshed has intensified pressure on the government to take decisive action and protect vulnerable communities.

Anietie Ewang, Nigerian researcher with Human Rights Watch, said Nigerian authorities and security forces often fail to provide a clear account of such attacks and have also failed to investigate them and ensure justice for victims.

“It is this continued failure of the authorities that is producing mass casualties, destruction of entire communities,” Mr Ewang said.