Chief Nelson Bakfur, the Mishkaham Mwaghavul of Mwaghavul tribe in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, has condemned the killing of 12 of his subjects by gunmen in Kumbun district in the area for alleged cattle rustling.

The Paramount ruler made the condemnation in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Mangu on Thursday.

“I was taken aback by the dastardly act of the gunmen and I condemn such in a very strong term as a Paramount ruler of the Mwaghavul nation .

“Killing of 12 of my kinsmen is not acceptable.

“It is indeed shocking to us as Mwaghavul nation as we are not known with cattle rustling or stealing in general to warrant such an attack on us.

“I am appealing to my people to please remain calm in the face of the provocation and not to react in any manner unlawful,” he said.

He described the killings as “tragic” and “very unnecessary” given the peace being enjoyed not only in Mangu local government area but also in the entire Plateau.

Chief Bakfur thanked Gov. Simon Lalong for his show of concern by visiting him to condole with him and the people of Mangu as well as visiting the Kulben village in Kumbun district to see things for himself.

According to him, “we are indeed comforted by the governor’s visit and pray that this sort of thing will not repeat itself.”

He called on the authorities to intensify efforts at tracking and arresting the perpetrators of the attack and killings to face the full wrath of the law.

NAN reports that the Police Command in the state has confirmed the killing of 12 persons in the attack, saying that the incident was triggered by the rustling of more than 100 cows in Kerang village which was traced to  Kulben village.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mathias Terna, disclosed the figure in a statement made available to NAN.