Women Protest After 24 People Killed in Plateau Attack

Women from Bin-Per community in Ruff, Kombun District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday. This protest was in response to the killing of 24 residents by gunmen.

The protest happened while the victims were being buried in a mass funeral in the community. Some other victims who were injured in the attack are still receiving treatment in hospitals.

The women came out in large numbers, holding leaves as they marched through the community. They expressed their sorrow over the killings and called on the government to take urgent action to protect residents.

This protest followed an overnight attack where armed men reportedly invaded homes in the community and killed residents.

One of the protesters, Mrs Ladi Joshua, said the women were heartbroken by the loss of their husbands, children, relatives, and other community members.

With leaves held above their heads, the women showed their grief over the bloodshed. They demanded an end to the repeated attacks in their community and other areas in Plateau State.

At the burial mass for the victims on Tuesday, Kyesmang Jonathan, the President of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement, said 24 people had been buried following the attack.

He mentioned that some injured victims were still in hospitals while the community was dealing with the aftermath of the attack. Jonathan described the killings as a painful loss for the community and condemned the ongoing attacks on innocent people.

He urged the government and security agencies to take urgent steps to protect vulnerable communities and stop further loss of life. He also expressed his sympathy to the families of those who died, the injured, and displaced residents. Jonathan called on authorities to catch and punish those responsible for the killings.

Meanwhile, Jude Eli Dakur, the Secretary of the African Democratic Congress in Plateau State, condemned the attack. He called it barbaric, senseless, and unacceptable.

Dakur expressed sadness over the loss of lives and the damage to homes, farmlands, and property in the community. He said attacking residents, especially while they are asleep, is a serious violation of human rights and should not be a regular occurrence in Plateau State.

He sympathized with the families of the victims, the injured, and those displaced. He also reached out to the people of Mangu, especially those in Bin-Per and Kombun District.

Dakur urged security agencies to quickly mobilize and find the attackers. He stressed that those responsible must be caught, arrested, and brought to justice.

He also called for better intelligence gathering and surveillance in vulnerable communities across Mangu and other parts of the state. According to him, more security personnel should be sent to vulnerable areas, and rapid-response measures should be put in place for quick action on distress calls.

Dakur said the recent attack is especially troubling due to the ongoing security problems in the state. He added that residents should not have to defend themselves against armed attackers.

He urged the Federal Government, Plateau State Government, and security agencies to work together to improve security and restore safety for residents. Dakur also asked people to stay alert and report any suspicious activities to security authorities, while avoiding actions that could worsen tensions.

He called for calm and unity among the people of Mangu and expressed support for affected communities.

"On behalf of my family, supporters, and everyone who shares our vision for a peaceful and prosperous Plateau, I send my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones and to the entire Mangu community.

"We mourn with you. We stand with you. We condemn this senseless violence and urge the security agencies to urgently pursue the attackers and ensure justice is served.

"Every life lost is valuable, and no community should live in constant fear of attacks. The people of Mangu deserve to live, farm, and carry out their daily activities in peace and safety," he said.

Dakur prayed for the souls of those who died and wished for a quick recovery for the injured.