By Wealth Oghenemaro
At least three people have been confirmed dead and over ninety-six homes destroyed following a violent attack on Gyenbwas, a community in the Langai District of Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State.
The incident, which unfolded between Monday and Tuesday, has left hundreds displaced and property worth millions of naira looted or burned.
According to residents, the attackers not only set homes ablaze but also made away with essential items such as food, mattresses, livestock, and clothing.
The traditional ruler of the area, Alhaji Yakubu Umar, described the attack as unprecedented, urging the government to swiftly investigate and bring those responsible to justice. “We’ve never seen anything like this. Our people were peaceful, and yet they suffered this level of destruction,” he said.
Tensions have risen between ethnic groups following the attack. While the local community accused members of the Berom ethnic group of orchestrating the violence, the Berom Youth Mothers (BYM) Association strongly denied any involvement.
BYM president Dalyop Solomon stated that three of their members were actually victims of a separate attack and are currently hospitalized.
Solomon further argued that the Berom people have only acted in self-defence when under threat. He accused Fulani leaders of spinning false narratives to justify violence. “No Berom person has ever launched an attack on Fulani. If we defend ourselves, it is within our rights under the law,” he said.
The traditional ruler has appealed to the Plateau State Government and Mangu LGA to assist the affected victims with relief materials and rebuild trust between communities to prevent further escalation of violence. The state government has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
