Over 20 killed, Many Injured in Fresh Plateau attack

Gunmen suspected to be bandits has launched deadly attack on residents of Binper village in Mangu local government of Plateau state killing over 20 residents. 

The attack, according to residents, occurred between midnight on Monday and the early hours of Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

An eyewitness, Daniel Musa, who spoke to our correspondent, said the attackers, who were heavily armed, moved from house to house, forcing their way into homes and attacking residents why they were asleep.

He said: “Our village came under attack last night and in the early hours of today, Tuesday, by heavily armed persons.

“They were moving from house to house, opening the doors of people who were sleeping and slaughtering them.

“As of this morning, we have confirmed over 20 deaths, while several others sustained serious injuries and some people are still missing.”

Another resident, John Dalyop, who confirmed the attack, described the situation as terrible.

“We expected the new Commissioner of Police in the state to act quickly and go after those responsible,” he said.

Dalyop condemned the attack as barbaric and urged the state and Federal Governments to urgently strengthen security around vulnerable communities in Mangu and other parts of Plateau State.

He said victims who sustained injuries have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while community leaders and residents were making efforts to account for those still missing.

Security operatives were also reportedly deployed to the community on Tuesday morning to restore calm and prevent further attacks, he added.

Efforts to obtain reactions from security operatives before filing this report were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement (MYM) have expresses deep grief, anger, and profound dissatisfaction over last night’s deadly attack on Bin-Per, a community under Kombun District, of Mangu LGA where armed attackers reportedly invaded the community, leaving over 20 persons dead, while several others sustained injuries.

The youths said, “Beyond the tragic loss of lives, homes were reportedly set ablaze and crops destroyed, leaving families devastated and further threatening the livelihoods of a people who depend largely on agriculture. The scale of destruction is not merely an attack on individuals but an attack on an entire community, its dignity, livelihood, and future.

In a statement by Comr. Jonathan Yusuf President, Mwaghavul Youth Movement, the youths pointed out that, “What is particularly disturbing to the Movement is that this tragedy occurred despite the existence of a security architecture that is supposed to protect citizens and their communities. The repeated attacks on vulnerable communities raise serious questions about the effectiveness, responsiveness, and commitment of the government and security system in protecting innocent citizens.

“The Mwaghavul Youth Movement is deeply concerned that communities are increasingly being left to defend themselves against heavily armed attackers. The fact that the casualties could have been significantly higher but for the courage, vigilance, and intervention of youths who stood guard over their community is both commendable and deeply troubling.

“Citizens should not have to become their own soldiers before they can sleep safely in their homes”.

While the Movement commends the youths of the attacked community and other communities who continue to demonstrate extraordinary courage and resilience in protecting their people, we strongly reject the idea that community self-defence should become a substitute for a functional security system. We emphasize that young people should be in schools, farms, businesses, and other productive ventures not permanently stationed on community guard posts because the government has failed to provide adequate protection.

The Movement therefore calls on the Plateau State Governor, His Excellency, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang Esq. and the Government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently reassess the security situation across vulnerable communities and take concrete steps to prevent further attacks. Security agencies must be properly equipped, strategically deployed, and held accountable for protecting lives and property.

The Mwaghavul Youth Movement demands a transparent investigation into the BinPer attack, including attack on all other communities within Mangu LGA and Plateau as a whole, the circumstances surrounding the security response before, during, and after the attack. The Fulani bandits responsible for the killings and destruction must be identified and brought to justice.

“The recurring destruction of communities, killing of innocent citizens, burning of homes, and destruction of farmlands cannot continue to be treated as ordinary 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”.

The Mwaghavul Youth Movement therefore calls for an immediate and comprehensive overhaul of the security strategy in vulnerable communities, improved intelligence gathering, proactive deployment of security personnel, rapid-response mechanisms, and sustained protection for communities before attacks occur and not merely after lives have already been lost.

The Movement mourns with the families who have lost loved ones in BinPer.

“We stand with the injured and displaced.  Once again, we commend our courageous youths who stood their ground to protect their people and above all, we demand government’s uncommon action.

“Our people cannot continue to bury their loved ones while being told that security measures are in place. A security system that repeatedly arrives after communities have been attacked, lives have been lost, homes have been burnt, and livelihoods destroyed must be urgently examined as the time for condolences without concrete action is over”.