- The Fulani and Mwaghavul communities blame each other for recent violence in Mangu LGA, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries
- The conflict intensified after an attack on Mwaghavul women collecting firewood, leading to ongoing gunfire and mutual accusations of self-defense
The Fulani and Mwaghavul ethnic groups are blaming each other for renewed communal violence in Mangu LGA of Plateau State.
Over the past week, about a dozen people have been killed, while many others sustained injuries.
The two communities have conflicted since 2023, and the latest crisis has further strained their relationship.
The recent clashes reportedly began on Monday when four Mwaghavul women went to fetch firewood in Lightlubang village, where they were attacked, leading to the death of one of them.
Since then, sporadic gunfire has been heard almost daily, with both sides claiming self-defence.
The Mwaghavul community accuses Fulani herders of persistent attacks, while the Fulani group denies involvement in the violence.
The Director of Public Affairs for the Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA), Lawrence Kyarshik, described the attacks as part of a series of assaults on their people.
“The crisis started when four Mwaghavul women were attacked while collecting firewood, resulting in one death. The next day, our youths were ambushed, and four were killed in Lightlubang village. On Friday, another attack in the Chisu community left a family of five dead,” he said.
However, Muhammad Salihu, Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Mangu, refuted the allegations.
He acknowledged the killing of the woman collecting firewood but stated that the perpetrators remain unknown. He said the incident coincided with attempted cattle rustling in the area.
“Cattle rustlers tried to steal livestock but failed. Unfortunately, a woman collecting firewood was killed in the process. We attempted to investigate and identify those responsible, but before we could start, security forces issued a three-hour ultimatum for Fulani communities in the area to vacate,” Salihu said.
He further alleged that before the deadline expired, soldiers stormed the Fulani settlement of Saggoru, firing shots and forcing men, women, and children to flee.
Regarding the situation, Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Musa Arshoms, stated that security agencies have been directed to restore peace in the affected areas.