Eight people have been killed in three separate incidents in Plateau State, Nigeria, between Monday and Tuesday. The incidents occurred in Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas, despite a curfew imposed by the state government to protect lives and enable security agencies to stabilise affected communities. The curfew, which was introduced on September 24, restricts movement from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
In the first incident, three Mwaghavul vigilantes were ambushed and killed by suspected armed attackers in Mangu Local Government Area on Tuesday at about 7:39 p.m. The victims, identified as Samson Dachet, 45; Gambo Fwangyil, 50; and Zughumnan Bamaiyi, 35, were among those keeping watch over their community following the curfew. The Mwaghavul Youth Movement (MYM) condemned the attack, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the curfew.
The MYM stated that the attack occurred during the newly imposed curfew, which was meant to protect lives and enable security agencies to stabilise affected communities. The group alleged that while law-abiding residents remained indoors, armed attackers continued to move around and launch attacks. The MYM called on the state government and security agencies to review the curfew arrangement in Mangu.
In the second incident, four artisanal miners died following the collapse of a sand excavation pit at Tangur community in Bokkos Local Government Area on Tuesday at about 2:20 p.m. An eyewitness reported that the victims were excavating sand along a river line in the community when the pit suddenly collapsed on them.
In another incident, a 22-year-old man, Henry Elisha, was killed when gunmen attacked Rakwok, Bet, Razat, Gassa, and Rakung communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Monday night. The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) condemned the attack, which occurred on the same night the Plateau State Government imposed the curfew.
The BYM President, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, expressed concern that the attacks occurred while law-abiding residents obeyed the curfew and remained indoors. He alleged that commuters were ambushed along the Barkin Ladi-Bokkos and Barkin Ladi-Gashish roads in broad daylight on Tuesday. Mwantiri called on security agencies to intensify patrols and ensure effective enforcement of the curfew.
The BYM and MYM have called for increased security measures to protect communities in Plateau State. The incidents have raised concerns about the security situation in the state, despite efforts by the government to stabilise affected areas. The Plateau State Government has been urged to review its security strategies to prevent further attacks.
Key points
- Three Mwaghavul vigilantes were ambushed and killed in Mangu Local Government Area on Tuesday.
- Four artisanal miners died in a sand excavation pit collapse in Bokkos Local Government Area on Tuesday.
- A 22-year-old man was killed in an attack on communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Monday night.
