At least nine people have been killed in fresh attacks across Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State. The attacks, which occurred between Saturday night and Sunday morning, have left residents in mourning and demanding justice. According to reports, five of the victims were passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi LGA when they came under attack on Saturday night. The victims were said to be labourers heading to their destination before the attackers struck.
Community leaders have condemned the attacks and called for urgent action. The National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, Bulus Dabit, urged security agencies to track down those responsible and make sure they face justice. He stated that the continued attacks are causing pain and fear among residents and should not be allowed to continue. The Pyem Youth Leader in Gana-Ropp, Ukasha Garaba, also confirmed the attack, stating that they evacuated the corpses of five persons from Gana-Ropp.
In another attack on Sunday morning, a pastor and another person were reportedly killed while heading to church at Dorowa Babuje. Residents gathered in mourning after the incident. Elsewhere, a woman was killed on Saturday night in Baten Wereng, Riyom LGA, while another victim lost his life in Ratyidi community in Fan District, bringing the total number of deaths to at least nine.
The spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, described the attacks as unacceptable and condemned them in the strongest terms. He appealed to security agencies to increase their presence in the affected communities, investigate the attacks, and arrest everyone behind the violence. The killing of innocent people must stop, he added.
The violence was not limited to human casualties, as several cattle were reportedly rustled or killed around Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis at about 3 a.m. on Sunday. Security personnel were deployed to the affected communities as residents called for justice and an end to the killings. The Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Barkin Ladi, Gambo Abubakar, confirmed the cattle rustling and urged security agencies to investigate the incident.
Although the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, had not officially commented on the incidents, sources at the command headquarters said the Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Faniyan, had already deployed additional security personnel to the affected communities. Plateau State has witnessed repeated violent attacks over the years, with many communities in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, and Mangu frequently recording deadly incidents involving armed groups.
Residents have continued to call on both the state and federal governments to find lasting solutions to the recurring violence. The attacks have left tension high in Kantoma and neighbouring communities, with fears of more attacks continuing to grow. The government and security agencies have been urged to take concrete steps to address the root causes of the violence and bring perpetrators to justice.
Key points
- Nine people, including a pastor, were killed in fresh attacks across Plateau State's Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs.
- Community leaders have condemned the attacks and called for urgent action to track down those responsible.
- The Plateau State Police Command has deployed additional security personnel to the affected communities.
