PLATEAU: Insecurity In Mangu Heightens As Police Begin Surveillance

There’s fresh anxiety in the Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State following fresh attacks on Wednesday morning.

Many houses and religious centres were reportedly razed by the armed men which has heightened insecurity in the state.

It was gathered that the armed group invaded the communities, killing an unknown number of people despite a 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government.

On Tuesday, Governor Celeb Mutfwang had imposed a curfew in the area after fresh killings were recorded.

Mangu and Bokko LGAs came under coordinated attacks during the yuletide with over 100 residents killed and over 200 injured.

When contacted, the Plateau State Police Command told THE WHISTLER that its operatives were currently in Mangu LGA carrying out surveillance in the affected communities.

“Operatives of the police are currently in Mangu carrying out surveillance. Mangu is calm, and we are trying to do one or two things to ensure that the people are observing the curfew.

“So, I cannot give further details, until the surveillance is done,” Alfred Alabo, the State’s police spokesperson said.

Alabo added that he led other security personnel to the palace of the Mangu LGA’s traditional ruler, Mishkaham Mwaghavul to sympathise with the communities.

THE WHISTLER reports that Plateau State has recorded a circle of attacks given the ethno-religious differences in the state. In 2023, the state recorded over 300 fatalities resulting from suspected attacks and reprisals.

These incidents occurred despite the implementation of various security measures by the federal and state governments including Operation Rainbow, a state-owned security outfit and a Security and Information Centre (SIC) to provide residents with access to report developments in their location.