KEY POINTS

• Plateau residents and Christian leaders accused soldiers of attacking civilians and destroying homes in Mangu.
• Eyewitnesses and local leaders claimed the military used force during a security operation, leaving casualties and damage.
• The army denied knowledge of the incident but promised to investigate the allegations.

Tension has risen in parts of Plateau State after residents and Christian leaders accused personnel of the Nigerian Army of attacking civilians and destroying homes in Mangu Local Government Area.

The claims, which surfaced through video interviews shared online, describe a disturbing situation where soldiers reportedly turned their weapons on the same community in Mangu they were deployed to protect.

Eyewitnesses said the incident happened during a security operation in Mangu on Saturday, leaving many residents shocked and confused. The military, usually seen as a neutral force in such crises, is now being accused of acting against civilians, further deepening fear and uncertainty in the area.

According to residents, soldiers allegedly demolished houses during the operation in Mangu, including the home of a Catholic church worker. The destruction, they said, was carried out using an armoured vehicle, which struck buildings multiple times.

A Catholic priest, Joseph Wulemgbe, who visited one of the affected homes in Hallie, described the situation as troubling. He explained that the house belonged to a catechist who was inside with his children when the incident happened. The priest said gunshots were heard suddenly, and before people could understand what was going on, chaos had already spread across the community.

Standing near the damaged building, he pointed to visible signs of destruction and questioned why such force was used in a civilian area. He stressed that his concern was not to accuse but to seek answers and accountability from authorities.

Christian leader in Mangu alleges military support for militias

Another strong claim came from Pastor Timothy Luka, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the Sabon Gari area. Speaking during the burial of a resident reportedly killed in the unrest, he accused the military of supporting Fulani militias.

According to him, the crisis began days earlier when armed attackers ambushed and killed local youths returning from a mining site. He alleged that when the attackers returned, the army intervened but did not act in favour of the community.

The pastor claimed that soldiers initially appeared to step in to control the situation but later turned their attention toward local youths. He alleged that this shift led to shootings and casualties among residents.

Pastor Luka stated that more than 10 people were shot during the incident, with victims taken to hospitals in Jos and Mangu for treatment. He also confirmed at least one death at the time, describing the deceased as an innocent civilian who had been returning from his farm.

He expressed deep concern over the level of force used, questioning why military personnel would deploy armoured tanks against civilians. The reported destruction of homes and injuries has added to the already tense atmosphere in the community.