Not fewer than 30 people were reportedly killed and several others injured when gunmen suspected to be terrorists attacked Jwak Maitumbi community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday.
The attackers, said to number more than 100 and armed with sophisticated weapons, reportedly invaded the community at about 7:30 a.m. and opened fire on residents.
A resident and youth leader in the community, Lonji Zuhumnan, who confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday, said the attackers operated for several hours before fleeing into the surrounding bushes and rocky areas.
According to him, more than 30 bodies were recovered after the attack, while several residents sustained injuries.
Zuhumnan said the attackers also set more than 50 houses, shops, churches, health centres and food barns on fire. He added that crops on farms were destroyed during the attack, worsening the losses suffered by residents.
He said the attackers stormed the community when many residents were either in churches or preparing to attend worship services, forcing them to flee for safety as the gunmen fired sporadically.
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The youth leader further alleged that distress calls made to security operatives in Mangu during the attack did not receive a timely response.
He said security personnel arrived only after the attackers had completed their operation and escaped into the surrounding bushes and rocky areas.
The latest attack has reportedly left the community devastated, with residents counting the human and material losses caused by the violence.
