Gunmen Attack Community in Central Nigeria, Leaving Nearly 30 Dead

Abuja, August 19: A group of armed assailants attacked a community in Plateau State, Central Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of nearly 30 people and injuring several others, local media reported on Tuesday.

According to Vanguard newspaper, the assault occurred when heavily armed gunmen invaded homes in the Binpar community of the Mangu Local Government Area, carrying out door-to-door attacks. The incident took place between Monday night and Tuesday morning, as reported by survivors.

Eyewitness Daniel Musa recounted, “The gunmen opened the doors of sleeping residents and killed them.”

Another resident, Joyce Pama, informed Xinhua over the phone that around 30 bodies were recovered before burial on Tuesday morning.

Local media also reported that some residents remain missing, while community leaders are currently counting the survivors.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Plateau State is located in Nigeria’s ‘Middle Belt,’ which connects the predominantly Muslim north and the largely Christian south.

In recent years, the state has witnessed recurring violence, often stemming from disputes over land and resources between different communities.

Last week, a shooting incident in Kebbi State, located in northwestern Nigeria, resulted in the deaths of 29 individuals, including 10 police officers and two civilians.

According to a statement from Kebbi State police, security forces intercepted motorcycle-riding gunmen from neighboring Zamfara State in the Rafing Makuku area on Monday evening, leading to a confrontation that left 17 bandits dead.

The statement indicated that some gunmen managed to escape despite sustaining injuries, raising concerns about the potential increase in the death toll among the bandits. Four motorcycles used by the assailants were also abandoned.

Police reported that two security personnel were injured during the shootout and praised the fallen officers as “brave soldiers” who sacrificed their lives to protect the state’s citizens.

Nigeria faces numerous security challenges, including terrorism, kidnapping, robbery, armed militancy, the proliferation of small arms, and conflicts between farmers and herders.