Gunmen in Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau state have forcefully displaced over 300 communities and destroyed 30 homes through an attack. The attacks were reportedly coordinated and while the gunmen are mostly suspected to be herders, the security agencies were not able to provide details of the attack on the communities busy preparing for harvest in advance of these coordinated attacks in late August.
According to reports, the attacks occurred in ten villages in the Doemak District of Qua’an-Pan that were homes of people; homes of displaced persons are located in the villages of Nteng, Doop, Zhep Morop, Gyeergu, Kelaghan, Loon, Kwakii, and Gorom. In addition to houses being destroyed, these attackers completely destroyed farm barns forcing these villagers to panic and worry about an imminent food shortage.
Speaking on the incident, Danaan Cletus Sylvanus, Director Press and Publicity to the Executive Chairman of Qua’an-Pan LGA said: “this is very agonizing as hundreds of families have now abandoned their home. The Executive Chairman, Hon. Christopher Manship, visited some of the attacked villages and condemned the attacks; which he demonstrated with his solidarity to support the victims. He recognized that the welfare and safety of displaced persons are at the top of the list of priorities for the administration he is steering and has assured that security agencies have now been moved to the troubled locations to assist in restoring peace and calm.
Manship convened a security meeting in Doemak to bring all relevant security persons, traditional rulers, traditional and religious leaders, and development associations to partner with government to uniformly take action towards finding long-lasting solutions to the violence.
He reiterated to all stakeholders that there needs to be an urgent resolution to become very united, vigilant, and community based initiatives to supplement security agencies response. He then urged that there is no need to despair and that every indication is being made to help them return safely and build their confidence in their community.