Joseph Gwankat, the National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, Joseph Gwankat says the death toll of the recent attacks in Mangu local council has risen to 85.
He disclosed this on Wednesday when speaking to newsmen after a security meeting at the palace of the traditional ruler of Mangu, Mishkcham Mwaghavul, John Putmang Hirse.
Gwankat explained that the search for possible more casualties in the affected communities is still ongoing.
The meeting was attended by the state Deputy Governor, Professor Sonni Tyoden who is one of the son of the area, the Mishkcham Mwaghavul Putmang, the Council chairman, district heads and the security agents.
According to Gwankat, 57 victims of the attack were given a mass burial on Wednesday amid tears by relatives and members of the community.
The state government had on Wednesday imposed a curfew in Mangu while the police, in a statement by the command’s spokesperson Alfred Alabo, have arrested five suspects in connection to the clashes and recovered an AK 47 rifle, a revolver pistol and cartridges.
However, the statement did not disclose the figure of dead bodies and property destroyed.
When contacted for an update on Thursday, Alabo said the command is working to assess the casualties and make a statement when due.
“We have just made a statement yesterday, and we are still working on it. We will come out and talk when it’s needed,” he told WikkiTimes.
WikkiTimes had earlier reported that several communities were attacked following the Kombun attack that claimed over 30 lives.
Locals said the atrocities sprawled to Wednesday when several houses were set ablaze in some villages in Mararaban Pushit and Panyam. The situation exacerbated the situation as a result of the killings, arson and destruction of farmlands and animals in the affected communities.
The ethnic clash is between the Mugavul community’s pastoralists and Fulani herders who are also rooted in the area for greener pastures.
Both rival groups reported casualties as security agents are assured reinforcement of personnel to restore peace in the areas.
