Not less than 30 people were reportedly killed and several others injured after gunmen suspected to be terrorists invaded Jwak Maitumbi community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attackers, who reportedly stormed the community on Sunday morning, also set more than 50 houses, shops, churches and food barns ablaze.

A resident and youth leader in the community, Lonji Zuhumnan, who confirmed the incident to DAILY POST on Monday, said the attackers numbered over 100 and were armed with sophisticated weapons.

According to him, the gunmen arrived at about 7:30am and opened fire on residents who were either in churches or preparing to attend worship services.

Zuhumnan said the attackers continued shooting for several hours, forcing residents to flee for safety while several others were killed.

“At the end of the carnage, we counted over 30 dead bodies while several others were injured. Apart from the people they slaughtered, the terrorists also burned down over 50 houses, shops, health centres, churches and food barns.”

He added that the attackers also invaded farms and destroyed crops, worsening the losses suffered by residents.

The youth leader alleged that residents made frantic distress calls to security operatives in Mangu during the attack but received no immediate response.

“While the assailants were having a field day, frantic calls made to security personnel in Mangu were futile as the soldiers did not come until the attackers had finished their mission and fled into the bushes and rocks,” he said.

Zuhumnan said the community was severely affected by the attack, with residential buildings, businesses, places of worship and food supplies destroyed.

The reported casualty figure and extent of the destruction could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

The incident has renewed concerns over the security situation in parts of Plateau State, where communities have continued to face attacks and displacement.