Gunmen stormed the Binper community in Bwai District, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing more than 20 people in a late-night attack on sleeping residents. The assault occurred around midnight on Monday into the early hours of Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Eyewitness Describes House-to-House Killings
Daniel Musa, an eyewitness, told Daily Trust that the gunmen moved from one home to the next, forcing their way through doors and killing people where they lay. "Our village came under attack last night and in the early hours of today, Tuesday. Heavily armed persons were moving from house to house, opening the doors of people who were sleeping and slaughtering them," Musa said. "As of this morning, we have confirmed over 20 deaths, while several others sustained serious injuries and some people are still missing."
The National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA), Bulus Dabit, confirmed that the attackers entered the community under the cover of darkness while most residents were asleep.
Attack Follows Recent Violence in the Area
The bloodshed in Binper comes fewer than seven days after a separate incident in which three people lost their lives in the same area. That earlier violence had left both the Fulani and Mwaghavul communities pointing fingers at each other over arson attacks, deepening tensions between the two groups.
Security officials had not issued any statement on the latest attack as of the time this report was filed. The attack is reminiscent of a recent incident in Kawel village, also in Plateau State, where bandits killed at least 19 people in a fresh midnight attack.
Root Causes of Plateau Crisis
Meanwhile, former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang addressed the root causes of the state's decades-long crisis in a newly launched book. Jang pointed to failures of leadership, unresolved identity questions, and ignored grievances as key factors behind the persistent violence.
The former governor called for healing and reconciliation alongside security measures to end the crisis that has killed hundreds since 2001. The attack on Binper community underscores the ongoing security challenges in Plateau State, with local leaders and residents demanding increased protection.
