No fewer than six persons were killed and several others injured in separate attacks on communities in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, less than 24 hours after reported attacks on herders and livestock in the area, security sources have disclosed.
The attack was the latest among a series of violent incidents reported in Mangu in recent weeks, where local militia groups have allegedly carried out targeted killings within the area.
Security sources told Akelicious that troops of Sector 8, Sub-Sector 81, deployed at Gyambwas under Operation Enduring Peace, were mobilised at about 9:15 p.m. on May 31 following reports of sporadic shootings around Gwamajang village in Mangu LGA.
On arrival at the scene, troops discovered that armed assailants had opened fire on a group of women who were processing harvested groundnuts in the community.
The attack resulted in the death of six persons, while an unspecified number of others sustained gunshot wounds.
The casualties were evacuated to a hospital for treatment, while troops immediately launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.
In a related incident about 45 minutes later, troops responded to another distress call from Tukur village in Kinat community under Mangu Halle District.
Security sources said the attackers had already killed three persons before fleeing upon sighting advancing troops.
The troops subsequently established blocking positions towards Aloghom and launched offensive operations across the general area in an effort to intercept and apprehend the fleeing assailants.
The attacks came amid growing concerns over retaliatory violence following a series of attacks on herders, livestock losses, and alleged attacks by militia elements across Mangu Local Government Area in recent weeks.
