The death toll from the fresh attack on Bin-Per community in Kombun District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State has risen to 24, the Mwaghavul Youth Movement has disclosed.
The group also said several residents sustained injuries while homes were reportedly set ablaze and farmlands destroyed during the attack on Tuesday morning.
In a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs, Tubwot Joël Sunday, on behalf of the group’s President, Kyesmang Jonathan Yusuf, the movement expressed “deep grief, anger and profound dissatisfaction” over the incident.
It said the attack had inflicted severe damage on families and livelihoods in the largely agrarian community.
“The scale of destruction is not merely an attack on individuals but an attack on an entire community, its dignity, livelihood, and future,” the statement said.
The group expressed concern that the attack occurred despite the presence of security personnel and other security structures in the area.
It questioned the effectiveness of the security response, noting that repeated attacks on vulnerable communities had left residents increasingly exposed.
The movement said the intervention of youths helped prevent the casualty figure from rising further, but insisted that community self-defence could not replace effective government security.
“Citizens should not have to become their own soldiers before they can sleep safely in their homes,” it said.
The group called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the Federal Government to urgently reassess the security situation in Mangu and other vulnerable communities across Plateau State.
It demanded improved intelligence gathering, proactive deployment of security personnel, effective rapid-response mechanisms and adequate equipment for security agencies.
The movement also called for a transparent investigation into the attack, including the circumstances surrounding the security response before, during and after the incident.
It urged authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible for the killings and destruction.
The group said the recurring killing of residents, burning of houses and destruction of farmlands should no longer be treated as routine incidents.
“Every life lost is a Nigerian life that matters. Every destroyed home represents a family displaced. Every destroyed farm represents food, income, and hope taken away,” it said.
The movement commiserated with the families of the victims, sympathised with those injured and displaced, and commended youths who attempted to protect the community.
“Our people cannot continue to bury their loved ones while being told that security measures are in place,” it said, adding that “the time for condolences without concrete action is over.”
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