‘Gunmen went from house to house, killing people who were sleeping’ – Survivors of Plateau night of horror

Gunmen launched a brutal assault on the Bin-Per community in Kombun District, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, on the night of August 17, killing at least 24 people and leaving several injured. The attack unfolded in the early hours of August 18, as heavily armed assailants moved systematically from house to house, targeting residents who were asleep. According to survivors, the attackers forced open doors and executed individuals within their homes, creating a scene of unimaginable horror. Eyewitnesses described the attackers as well-armed and methodical, positioning themselves strategically around the community to prevent escape. One survivor, Daniel Musa, recounted how the intruders entered homes and slaughtered occupants while they slept. “They were moving from house to house, opening the doors of people who were sleeping and slaughtering them,” he said. Another resident, Shedrack Ayuba, shared how he and fellow vigilantes were ambushed while on duty, resulting in the deaths of two of his comrades. He fled through a maize field after being wounded in the leg, only later learning that his wife and four children had been killed in their home. The violence extended to entire families, with multiple accounts detailing the loss of generations in a single attack. Mr Fangwsak James told of a family in which eight members were killed, leaving behind a two-year-old child who survived with severe injuries. The boy was found unconscious near the body of his mother, having been left for dead. Similarly, another resident described losing his wife and four children in the attack, while a third reported the death of three children in a single household. The attackers' tactics were calculated, with reports indicating that they scattered themselves throughout the community to ensure no one could flee. A resident named Tongret Rogo stated, “They did not spare anyone. They killed everyone.” Others noted that those attempting to escape were met with gunfire, reinforcing the sense of helplessness among the victims. The attack also targeted local vigilantes, who had been monitoring the area. Ronbak Maxwell, a resident, explained that the violence began around 11:30pm when the assailants opened fire on the group, killing two before advancing into the community. Despite calls for assistance, the response was delayed, allowing the attackers to proceed unchecked. Most of the casualties were women and children, underscoring the disproportionate impact of the violence on vulnerable members of the population. In the aftermath, the community faced both physical and emotional devastation. Homes were set ablaze, farmland was razed, and the economic stability of many households was shattered. As the bodies were gathered for a mass burial, the surviving residents grappled with the trauma of the night. Women from the community expressed deep sorrow, holding vigils and demanding justice for the lives lost. Authorities have yet to confirm the motive behind the attack, though local officials have pledged to investigate. Governor Mutfwang visited the affected area in an armored vehicle, offering condolences to the bereaved. However, questions remain about the security situation in the region and whether such attacks will continue to plague the community. For now, the people of Bin-Per are left to mourn and rebuild, haunted by the memory of a night that turned their lives upside down.