At least 96 houses have been destroyed in Gyenbwas, a community in Langai district, Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau state, in a fresh communal crisis.
Residents alleged that the perpetrators looted foodstuffs, mattresses, cattle, among other valuables.
Alhaji Yakubu Umar, traditional ruler and Madugun Langai, told Daily Trust on Tuesday in Jos that two persons were killed on Monday, while another corpse was recovered on Tuesday, adding the death toll to three.
The community accused the Berom ethnic group of launching the attack in the area.
“We have never witnessed such atrocities. The perpetrators burned working equipment, clothes, foodstuffs, and other items. They also looted goods worth millions of naira. We live peacefully with everyone, and that is why we were very surprised,” Umar said.
The traditional ruler called on both the state and Mangu LGA to investigate those behind the act and bring them to book,
He also urged the state government to offer aid to those who have lost their properties.
Berom denies launching attack
Meanwhile, the leadership of Berom Youth Mouders (BYM) Association, denied the allegation of launching the attack, characterizing it as false.
Dalyop Solomon, BYM president, who denied the allegation, said, “Yesterday, three of our members who were on the farm around the area were attacked by terrorists and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital. All we know is that our people are under attack. Fulani are only coming out with excuses to justify their terror attack.
“But they should also know that whenever they attack our people, we have the right to defend ourselves. In the process of self defense, it may result in that. Someone who is targeted may exercise right to self-defense of live, family and property which is allowed by law. Possibly, people in the cause of self-defense, pursue the attackers to their hideout. We have never committed any attack against any Fulani.”
