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At least 24 people have been killed and several others injured following a fresh attack by gunmen on Binper (also reported as Bin-Per/Bin Mper) community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The deadly assault occurred between late Monday and the early hours of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, once again raising concerns over persistent insecurity in communities across Plateau State.
Reports indicate that the attackers stormed the community, killing residents and leaving several others wounded. Some accounts also reported that dozens of homes were burnt during the violence.
The victims have since been given a mass burial, with grieving women and youths staging protests as the community mourned those killed. Residents expressed anger over what they described as repeated attacks and inadequate protection for vulnerable communities.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the killings and appealed for calm, warning residents against retaliatory violence. He also directed security agencies to intensify surveillance and patrols in Bin Mper, Kombun District and other vulnerable areas of Mangu LGA.
The attack has renewed questions about Nigeria’s ability to prevent recurring violence in Plateau and other parts of the Middle Belt.
Beyond the immediate tragedy of 24 lives lost, the incident again puts the focus on intelligence gathering, rapid security response and accountability for perpetrators of attacks on rural communities.
For the families burying their loved ones, however, the debate is much more immediate: How many more communities must suffer before effective security measures prevent the next attack?
