Kaduna, 26 May, 2023 / 8:52 pm (ACI Africa).
The killing of “at least 130 people” in Nigeria’s Plateau State is a matter of “deep concern” for the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
In a statement obtained by ACI Africa Friday, May 26, the President of the entity that includes representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) says CAN condemns “in the strongest terms possible” the massacre of dozens in the country’s North-central State.
The massacre that started mid-May shows a “resurgence of mindless killings of innocent citizens in Mangu and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State,” Rev. Daniel Okoh says, confirming the BBC News report about gunmen storming villages in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State killing dozens, mostly women and children.
“The killings which started in Mangu villages on Monday, May 15, 2023, by so-called unknown gunmen have claimed many lives and properties with many persons still missing,” CAN President says, and adds, “About 130 people were killed, about 1000 buildings were burnt, and about 22 villages were affected.”
He goes on to highlight the villages that were affected, which he says included “Fungzai, Hale, Kubwat, Bwoi, and many other communities of the Kombun District of Mangu Local Government Area and some communities in the Riyom Local Government Area.”