Suspected arsonists have razed no fewer than 96 houses in Gyenbwas, a community in Langai district, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state.
According to residents, the assailants looted food, mattresses, cattle, and other valuables during the attack.
The traditional ruler of the community and Madugun Langai, Alhaji Yakubu Umar, disclosed this on Tuesday in Jos.
Umar said apart from the two persons killed on Monday, one more body was recovered on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to three.
The community however accused the Berom ethnic group of launching the attack.
But the Berom have swiftly denied the accusation.
Lamenting the incident, Umar said, “We have never experienced such atrocities. The perpetrators burned working equipment, clothes, foodstuffs, and other items. They also looted goods worth millions of naira. We live peacefully with everyone and that is we were very surprised.”
The traditional ruler urged both the state government and Mangu local authorities to launch a thorough investigation into the incident to unmask those behind the criminal act and bring them to book.
He also urged the state government to provide assistance to the victims of the incident.
But in a swift reaction, the leadership of Berom Youth Moulders (BYM) Association, denied the launching such attack, describing the allegation as false.
BYM President, Dalyop Solomon, said, “Yesterday, three of our members who were on the farm around the area were attacked by terrorists and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital. All we know is that our people are under attack. Fulani are only coming out with excuses to justify their terror attack.
“But they should also know that whenever they attack our people, we have the right to defend ourselves. In the process of self-defence, it may result in that. Someone who is targeted may exercise the right to self-defence of life, family and property which is allowed by law. Possibly, people in the course of self-defence, pursued the attackers to their hideout. We have never committed any attack against any Fulani.”
