The recent attack in the Mangu local government area of Plateau State, where people lost their lives and properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed, might have simmered, but the pain and agony are still there. There are orphans, widows, and those who sustained fatal injuries and are still recuperating in different hospitals.
One of those still receiving treatment at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) is Mr. Sunday Yusuf, whose left hand has been amputated as a result of gunshots allegedly from the military that peeled through his hand.
Narrating the circumstances that led to the amputation of his hand, Yusuf, who lives at Angwan Sarki, close to the Mishkaham Mwaghavul Palace Stadium road in Mangu local government area of Plateau State, said the part of the town was not affected by the crisis of January 23, 2024.
According to him, while in their respective houses, suddenly they heard sporadic gunshots, and a few of them came out to find out who was responsible for the shooting, but only to see military men on gun trucks.
“On seeing the military, we thought they were on patrol as a result of the unfortunate incident that engulfed parts of the local government area. So we were calm and relaxed, thinking, but to our surprise, the military men turned their gun truck towards us and started shooting indiscriminately.
“We fled in different directions. In the process of running for our lives, my neighbor, Mr. Damden Daful Datom, a father of three, was hit by a bullet on his chest and fell down immediately, while another bullet from the gun truck hit my left hand and shattered it completely. After they left, some members of the community summoned the courage, came out of their houses, and discovered a pool of our blood.”
Yusuf, who was still in pain as a result of the amputation of his right hand, further explained that they were rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital, where Dantom was confirmed dead on arrival, and he was rushed to the emergency unit, where his right hand was amputated.
Yusuf, who claimed to have spent quite a lot of money on treatment, said he is yet to recover from the trauma of the incident, adding that he could not imagine that the soldiers sent to protect lives and properties could suddenly turn against armless civilians.
“Where I live was calm on that day; there was no attack, but these military men just appeared from nowhere and opened fire at innocent civilians. The incident has since been reported to all the relevant security authorities, but there has been no response from them as of the time I was talking to you,” he lamented.
A brother to the late Datom, who is also the spokesman for the family, Mr. Longs Datom, said the remains of his brother have been deposited at the mortuary by the family and will not be buried until an investigation is carried out by the relevant authority.
He narrated that there was no justification by the military to have opened fire on harmless and defenseless civilians who ordinarily deserved better protection from the military rather than killing them with heavy weapons.
“The deceased, Mr. Sunday Yusuf, the youth leader of the community, and a few women at the scene of the incident were unarmed and defenseless civilians who ordinarily were supposed to be protected by the military but were instead shot at close range, contrary to the rules of engagement from the military.
“We have written letters through our lawyers to the Inspector General of Police demanding a thorough investigation and prosecution. In another separate letter, a petition was written to the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, dated January 31, 2024, and received in his office on February 6, 2024, on behalf of the deceased family and the wounded, which was copied to Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State.
“The GOC 3rd Amoured Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), the DSS, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice were equally copied. It is tilted: ‘Extral Judiciary killing of the late Damden Daful Datom and injury of Mr. Sunday Yusuf: Unprofessional conduct by the Military Personnel in Mangu and the demand for compensation and thorough investigation of the incident.”
He therefore called on the high military command to launch a thorough investigation to unmask those behind the killing and ensure that justice is served, adding that two weeks were given to the military to respond to the petition, which elapsed on February 20, 2024.
According to him, the deceased was the breadwinner of the family; he left behind his wife, Mrs. Tina Damden, and three children: Plangnan Damden, aged 14 years, Peter Damden, aged 9 years, and Dyelshak, aged 6 years, while Mr. Sunday Yusuf, a farmer whose hand has been amputated and will permanently suffer disability, will no longer go to the farm to feed his family and has four children and a wife with nobody to help.
The spokesman for the family stated that the entire family of the deceased and the man injured were quite disturbed by the continued silence of the military over the unfortunate incident, adding that more than three weeks after the petition, the military said nothing.
Mrs. Tina, the wife of the deceased, who is equally demanding justice, said there is clear evidence that the military carried out the act, adding that the killing of her husband has thrown the family into agony.
