*govt impses curfew
By Emmanuel Kelvin
It was a black Tuesday in Plateau State as no fewer than 30 people have reportedly been killed in a fresh attack by Suspected Fulani bandits on Fungzai and Kubat Villages in Mangu Local Government Area of the State
It was gathered that the invaders attacked Kubat on Tuesday morning setting houses on fire. The marauders also attacked fleeing members with dangerous weapons leading to the death of some residents while others were injured.
Members of neighbouring Fungzai community, who saw the burning Kubat village, mobilised women and children to move out of the community in other to escape the wrath of the attackers who have started advancing to the community after the attack on Kubat.
However, the escapees in vehicles and motorcycles ran into an ambush by the advancing attackers, killing about 30 people, mostly children and women.
“The Attack started about 12 midnight when we were sleeping after so much tiredness from farms, because you know this is a raining season, I counted 20 corpses in Fungzai my village while the neighbouring village Kubat I also counted 10 corpses while several others injured and many houses burnt,” one of the villagers said.
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong in a Press Statement he issued said he woke up Tuesday morning to distressing news of an overnight attack on Kubat Village in Mangu Local Government where some persons including women and children were reportedly killed.
He describes this as yet another attempt by crises merchants and criminals to return the State to the dark days of pain and agony, vowing that the Government will stop at nothing to ensure that those behind this scheme are dealt with mercilessly.
While condemning the act, the Governor commiserated with the victims and assures that the murderers will not be allowed to go unpunished as this is an act that can neither be tolerated or excused no matter the motivation.
The Governor equally directed the State Emergency Management Agency and the Peace Building Agency to visit the area and ascertain the humanitarian need so as to bring succour to the affected while thorough investigation is being carried out.
As means of curbing reprisal and escalation of the situation, a 24-hour curfew has been imposed on the local government area.
In a statement signed by Mangu Local Government Chairman, Minister Daput, the stay at home order was agreed on after consultation with security heads as means of restoring law and order in the affected communities as well as avoid the situation from getting out of hand considering the numbers of casualty involved in the attack.
Meanwhile the Plateau Governor-elect, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang on his part said he has received with rude shock the bloody attack on Fungzai and Kubwat villages in Kombun District of Mangu Local Government Area.
Mutfwang who hails from Mangu confirmed the attacks in a Press Statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media Mr Gyang Bere said among those killed in the Tuesday attack were several persons including women and children.
Mutfwang, in a message of comfort, condemned in totality the attack which also left several persons injured and houses with valuables worth millions of naira destroyed.
He appealed to security agencies to raise up to their constitutional responsibility of protecting and securing citizens, particularly rural dwellers.
