Jos – At least eight people have been confirmed dead following a deadly attack by gunmen on Chicim community in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack occurred around 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, with the assailants reportedly opening fire indiscriminately as residents slept. The community, located just a kilometre from Mangu town, was thrown into chaos as gunshots rang out, forcing residents to flee into the night.
A local resident, Kespan Iliya, told reporters that the attackers targeted anyone in sight during the assault. Three individuals who sustained injuries are currently receiving medical treatment.
In a related incident, more than 96 houses were set ablaze in Gyenbwas, a neighbouring community in Langai District, also within Mangu LGA, in what appears to be coordinated attacks.
Efforts to get official statements from security agencies and state authorities have so far proved unsuccessful.
However, local sources confirmed that troops of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven, responded swiftly to distress calls from Chicim Village. The soldiers reportedly engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, eventually forcing them to retreat into the surrounding bushes.
Shortly afterward, the military received additional reports of attacks in other parts of Mangu and deployed reinforcements to those areas. Security forces successfully repelled the armed assailants in all affected communities.
Two lifeless bodies were recovered at separate locations and have been deposited at the General Hospital in Mangu, sources said.
Military patrols have since been intensified across Mangu LGA to prevent further violence and to reassure terrified residents of their safety.
