By Luka Toholde
The events of May 16, 2023 remain a deep scar on the people of Washna, Kombili, Changal, Ngwet, Jwakchom, Komtul , Aper, Gohotkung, Mbwor and Larkas. On that day, armed Fulani militants descended on these quiet farming communities in Mangu Local Government, unleashing violence that shattered lives in a matter of hours. Homes were burned to ashes, families were torn apart, and many were killed. What once were thriving villages became scenes of smoke, silence, and loss.
The survivors fled in panic, carrying nothing but the clothes on their backs. Their farms, food stores, livestock, and lifelong investments—worth hundreds of millions—were abandoned overnight. In the aftermath, the attackers looted what remained and took over the lands, leaving the rightful owners displaced and dispossessed.
Today, those who escaped are scattered across places like Panyam, Mangu, Kerang, Pushit, Pankshin, Ampang, and Jos, living as internally displaced persons under harsh and uncertain conditions. For many, survival has become a daily struggle. Without stable shelter, food, or healthcare, over a hundred people have reportedly died from hunger and illness since the attacks.
The pain goes beyond physical hardship. The psychological toll is immense. Memories of their ancestral homes linger painfully, yet returning is not an option—doing so could mean death, as the attackers still occupy those villages. Families have been fragmented, and children, without proper guidance or stability, are increasingly turning to drugs and alcohol as a form of escape. What should have been their future is slowly slipping away.
Aid meant to ease their suffering has not always reached them. Some of the limited relief materials provided by NGOs have allegedly been diverted to individuals who were never affected by the violence. This deepens the sense of injustice and abandonment already felt by the victims.
Meanwhile, there are troubling claims that the occupied lands have been redistributed among the attackers, with suggestions of complicity or negligence from authorities. Whether true or not, such perceptions have further eroded trust in the system.
As another farming season approaches, the displaced communities see no meaningful effort to restore them to their homes. No adequate security presence, no reconstruction plans, and no financial assistance to rebuild their lives. The silence from authorities has been loud—and painful.
Now, frustration is turning into resolve. The affected villagers are considering boycotting the 2027 general elections if concrete steps are not taken to ensure their safe return.
Their demands are clear: deploy adequate security forces to reclaim and protect their villages, provide essential amenities, and offer financial support to help them rebuild.
For them, this is not just about politics—it is about dignity, survival, and the right to live on their ancestral lands without fear. Until those basic assurances are met, they feel abandoned in every sense of the word.
Luka Toholde
Writes from a displaced Camp in Mangu
