Plateau activist accuses soldiers of killing Mangu youth leader

A Plateau State activist, Walshak Samuel John has accused soldiers attached to the Operation Enduring Peace, OPEP, of killing a Mangu youth leader, Fwangshak Dawuk, and dumping his body at the Barkin Ladi general hospital.

According to John, Dawuk, who was the Secretary of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement, Mangu Halle District in Mangu Local Government Area, was 

allegedly shot to death on Sunday night by military personnel in Jakatai village while he and other youths were on a vigilante duty.

In a post he shared on Facebook on Monday, John said eyewitnesses stated that Dawuk was shot at point-blank range by the soldiers who were protecting the Fulani terrorists.

In the post, John wrote:

“If accounts from eyewitnesses on the killing of Fwanshak Dawuk by soldiers are accurate, then this is not simply another casualty to be added to the long list of deaths associated with insecurity in Plateau State. 

“It is a serious allegation involving personnel of the Nigerian military and a civilian youth leader who was reportedly participating in community vigilance.

“Witnesses said Fwangshak went out with other youths to watch over his community following an attack on neighbouring Lawuru in Barkin Ladi LGA. Instead of returning home to his family, he reportedly ended up dead.

“Even more troubling are the reports surrounding what allegedly happened after the shooting, including the reported removal of his body from the scene and its transportation to Barkin Ladi General Hospital and dumping it there.

“These are serious allegations. They demand serious answers. Who ordered the shooting?

What exactly happened between the soldiers and the youths?

“Who were the personnel involved? Which military convoy was operating in Jakatai at the time?

What were their operational orders? 

“Why was the deceased reportedly taken to a hospital after the shooting?

And why did the soldiers allegedly leave the hospital without properly accounting for what had happened?

“When communities are repeatedly attacked, and people organise themselves to watch over their homes, families and neighbours, the proper response from security agencies should be coordination, protection and communication — not indiscriminate treatment of citizens as enemies.” 

Conflict journalist, Masara Kim Usman also confirmed the incident in a post on his Facebook page.

“Earlier today, terrorists reportedly invaded Arangai (Jakatai) village in Mangu LGA, Plateau State. Soldiers allegedly failed to respond to distress calls. 

“When civilian guards could no longer stand by and watch their families being slaughtered, they came out with homemade pipe guns to hold off the attackers — who were armed with assault and sniper rifles — to allow vulnerable residents to escape. 

“And this was when soldiers who had been unresponsive suddenly appeared and opened fire on the village defenders, killing this young man instantly,” he wrote.

However, the Media Information Officer of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycarp Oteh denied knowledge of such an incident. 

In a phone chat with DAILY POST on Tuesday, Captain Oteh said he was not aware of such an incident as he was currently on a course on Kaduna. 

Efforts to also get confirmation from the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo were futile as he neither picked his calls nor responded to messages sent to his phones.