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No fewer than six persons, including a woman, have been killed in separate attacks in communities in Bassa and Mangu local government areas of Plateau State.
Sources said 12 persons who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals.
Residents said the first attack occurred around Ancha community in Bassa LGA, while the second one occurred in Gyenbwas Rinji community in Langai district of Mangu LGA.
Daily Trust reports that the latest attacks happened a day after four persons and two others were injured, including farmers and herders, who were killed in Uwok-Ishe community of Kakkek district of Bassa while on their way to mining sites.
State Chairman of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN), Garba Abdullahi, who confirmed the first incident, said the victims were declared missing around 3 am while grazing cattle, but their bodies were found in Ancha community.
“The herders were grazing when the perpetrators dragged them from the grazing area to Ancha and killed them. We have reported the incident to the police and Operation Safe Haven, “ the chairman said.
In Gyenbwas Rinji, two persons, including a woman, were also killed, and many houses were burnt.
Speaking on the development, Aliyu Adamu, elder brother of one of the deceased, said the attackers stormed the area around 7 am, with the Mwaghavul accused of launching the attack.
“The gunmen arrived in the community in large numbers, shooting sporadically. They killed my brother and one other woman. They burned many houses, “ Adamu said.
Reacting to the allegation against their member, the acting Chairman of Mwaghavul Youth Development (MYM), Mangu Halle District, Mr. Mangs Fwangkat Isa, told Daily Trust that the violence in Gyenbwas Kasuwa started after their members were ambushed and killed on Sunday evening.
The acting chairman explained that “today, (Monday), the FOB command came and pleaded with us. We tried to calm the situation because the youth were angry. While trying to calm down the situation, Fulani came from nowhere and started shooting. Our youth responded because we couldn’t just relax while security presence was inadequate.
“So, the youth came out with sticks and local cutlasses. During the incident, two persons were killed. Based on what the injured ones told us, the victims were killed by the soldiers, not even Fulani. Ten persons were injured and are currently receiving medical attention in Halle and Mangu general hospitals,” the acting chairman said.
On the other hand, seven people were killed on Sunday when a motorcycle struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) allegedly planted by suspected Lakurawa insurgents in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The victims, who were returning from a Sallah celebration in Gwabro village, were travelling on motorcycles when one of them struck the explosive device.
The IED was reportedly planted beneath a tree commonly used as a rest point by military personnel during operations in the area.
According to local sources, six men died instantly, while one of the two injured girls succumbed to her injuries the following day.
Confirming the incident, the Special Assistant to the Chairman of Tangaza LGA, Alhaji Ghazzali Rakah, said the victims were residents of Zurmuku village.
“They were returning from a Sallah visit and decided to rest under the tree, which is known to be a spot frequented by troops during operations,” Rakah explained.
“It is likely that the Lakurawa insurgents planted the device in anticipation of military presence.”
He said a bomb disposal unit from the Nigeria Police had been deployed to the area to search for additional explosive devices.
Sunday’s tragedy is not the first of its kind in the region.
A few months ago, several soldiers were killed in a similar IED incident while on routine patrol in the same local government area.
Security remains a significant concern in parts of Sokoto State, with local authorities calling for intensified counter-insurgency efforts to curb the activities of armed groups.
