No fewer than 30 persons have been killed in the Mangu local government area of Plateau state despite the 24-hour curfew imposed on the area by the state governor Caleb Mutfwang. According to reports, the bandits attacked Kwahaslalek and surrounding communities in the early hours of Wednesday, January 24.

Eyewitnesses say the communities attacked are not far from the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, permanent orientation camp at Jakatai, Mangu Local Government Area.

“For the second time, my village Kwahaslalek (behind the NYSC camp) was attacked at about 12:30 am, leaving over 25 people, mostly women and children, dead. Houses were burnt and some persons escaped with gunshot injuries.”

He added that at about midnight, there were sporadic gunshots, forcing women to run into the community leader’s compound for safety. He lamented that the terrorists went into the compound and killed the women, while the men were keeping vigil outside the community.

The source added that Mariana, Kinat and other communities in Mangu Halle District, and those on the borders of Mangu and Barkin Ladi local government areas, are deserted at the moment.

On Tuesday, January 23, the state governor announced a 24-hour curfew in the area to prevent further attacks.