Plateau: Cleric insists Fulani militia attacked his community, killed, injured, abducted residents
Pastor Rejects Claims Regarding Attack in Plateau State
MANGU, Plateau State — Pastor Timothy Luka, a clergyman from the Yilpo community in Mangu Local Government Area, has refuted statements made by the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN) regarding a recent attack by armed men. The incident, which occurred on Friday, has raised serious concerns among local residents.
Reports indicate that the attackers, suspected to be Fulani militias, ambushed a group of youths returning from a tin mining site. One individual, identified as Kyenshak Inusa, was killed, while two others sustained gunshot wounds. A fourth person was reported kidnapped.
In a statement released on Friday, GAFDAN claimed that the attackers were not Fulani but rather local Mwaghavul youths, who allegedly blocked the Mangu-Jos road and set structures ablaze.
However, Pastor Luka issued a counter-statement on Sunday, asserting that the attackers were indeed Fulani bandits. He detailed the incident, stating, “Fulani terrorists attacked, killed, and injured our youth on April 30 when they were returning from the mining site.” He expressed discontent with GAFDAN’s portrayal of the events, stating that any attempts to shift blame would be rejected by the community.
Luka described the events of May 1, when he claimed that Fulani militias returned to Yilpo with the intent to devastate the community. He criticized the response of military personnel from the Sector 2 Command of OPEP, alleging they provided cover for the attackers while firing on local residents.
“Despite the chaos that lasted over seven hours, security operatives did not intervene,” Luka stated. “When soldiers did arrive, they targeted our youths, prompting them to block the road in protest.”
The pastor emphasized the community’s plight in the face of persistent violence, referencing previous comments by local leaders regarding a potential genocide against Christians in Plateau State. He stated, “We want the world to know what we are going through.”
Luka detailed the injuries sustained by local residents, listing several individuals who were shot. He also named four individuals who were reportedly abducted during the attack and remain missing.
“Our community has suffered greatly at the hands of these bandits with no accountability from security forces,” Luka said. “It is understandable for our youths to be angry.”
As the situation continues to unfold, calls for further investigation and security measures are likely to grow from the affected community.
