On June 9, 2025, the community of Gyenbwas in Langai District, Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, Nigeria, was struck by a violent attack that left 96 houses destroyed. According to residents, the assailants looted food supplies, mattresses, cattle, and other valuable possessions before setting homes ablaze, displacing numerous families. The attack, which reportedly occurred in the early hours, has heightened tensions in an area already grappling with recurring violence.
Local accounts indicate that the perpetrators ambushed community members, leading to a confrontation that escalated rapidly. Three individuals were reportedly killed, and several others sustained injuries, with ten victims receiving treatment at Halle and Mangu general hospitals. The destruction of homes and theft of livestock have left residents in dire straits, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Alhaji Yakubu Umar, the Madugun Langai and traditional ruler of the area, condemned the attack and called for urgent intervention from the Mangu LGA and Plateau State government. He urged authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly and provide relief to affected families, emphasizing the need for security measures to prevent further violence. The community, primarily agrarian, relies heavily on the looted resources, making recovery particularly challenging.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence in Plateau State, with similar attacks reported in neighboring areas like Bassa LGA. Security forces have been deployed to the region, but residents express frustration over the lack of proactive measures to curb such incidents. The destruction in Gyenbwas underscores the ongoing challenges of addressing communal clashes and ensuring safety in vulnerable communities.
The attack has drawn attention to the complex dynamics of conflict in Plateau State, often linked to disputes between herders and farmers over land and resources. While the exact motives behind the Gyenbwas incident remain under investigation, residents allege that the assailants were herders targeting the community in a retaliatory assault. Authorities have yet to confirm these claims, but the pattern aligns with previous incidents in the region.
Efforts to restore calm are underway, with community leaders and government officials holding emergency meetings to address the crisis. The Plateau State government has promised to provide relief materials, but specifics on the aid package remain unclear. Meanwhile, displaced residents are seeking shelter with relatives or in makeshift camps, facing immediate needs for food, clothing, and medical care.
The violence in Gyenbwas adds to the growing toll of destruction in Mangu LGA, where earlier attacks this year claimed lives and property. Data from local sources indicate that over 200 homes have been destroyed in the LGA in 2025 alone, with thousands displaced. The recurring nature of these attacks has sparked calls for a comprehensive security strategy to address root causes and protect vulnerable communities.
Civil society organizations and humanitarian groups have begun mobilizing to assist the affected families, but logistical challenges and limited resources hinder their efforts. The loss of cattle, a primary source of livelihood for many in Gyenbwas, has deepened economic hardship, with some residents reporting the theft of their entire herds. The psychological toll on the community is also significant, as fear of further attacks looms large.
