Chaos unfolded in Gyenbwas, a village in Langai district of Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State, where 96 houses were set ablaze in a violent overnight attack that left three people dead and scores displaced.
According to residents, the assailants looted food items, livestock, mattresses, and valuables before setting homes and properties on fire.
Traditional ruler Alhaji Yakubu Umar confirmed the destruction, stating that one more body was discovered on Tuesday following the deaths of two people the previous day.
The village, once known for its peaceful nature, now lies in ruins, with families left homeless and traumatized. Umar expressed deep shock, noting that the attackers also destroyed farming tools, clothing, and food supplies worth millions of naira.
Locals have accused members of the Berom ethnic group of masterminding the attack, but the Berom Youth Moulders Association has denied any involvement. Dalyop Solomon, president of the group, claimed that three Berom farmers were attacked in the area and are currently receiving medical attention. He maintained that his people were acting in self-defense and dismissed the accusations as a cover-up by Fulani groups trying to justify violence.
As accusations and counter-claims fuel further division, the community has appealed to both the Plateau State government and Mangu LGA for a thorough investigation and immediate support for those who lost everything. For the residents of Gyenbwas, the smoke has cleared—but the wounds remain open.
