A fresh wave of violence has left at least nine persons dead across Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and neighboring communities in Plateau State.
The coordinated attacks, which occurred between Saturday night and Sunday morning, have triggered intense fear, renewed tension, and the emergency evacuation of women and children from vulnerable settlements.
The tragic weekend began on Saturday night when five passengers travelling as laborers to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area were ambushed and killed.
Additional casualties included a woman killed at Baten Wereng in Riyom LGA, another person slain at Ratyidi in Fan District, and two individuals—including a local pastor—gunned down on Sunday morning while heading to church at Dorowa Babuje.
Alongside the human toll, several cattle were either slaughtered or rustled during raids at Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis.
Community leaders and youth groups have strongly condemned the recurring violence.
Bulus Dabit, National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, and Ukasha Garaba, a Pyem youth leader in Gana-Ropp, confirmed the recovery of the five passenger corpses and urged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders, described the killings as unacceptable, while Gambo Abubakar, Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Barkin Ladi, confirmed reports of stolen cattle and called for thorough investigations.
The renewed hostilities have plunged the Dorowa Babuje community into panic as heavy gunshots echoed from the Kantoma direction well into Sunday afternoon.
Lawrence Shong, a local resident, reported that the ongoing threats forced families to flee their homes for safer havens.
In response to the crisis, military personnel have been rapidly deployed to the troubled zones to restore order and stem further escalation.
Reacting to the developments, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang vowed that his administration would not surrender to criminal elements or be defeated by the gun.
Speaking at the 2026 Plateau Annual Convention of the Assemblies of God Nigeria in Jos South, Governor Mutfwang reassured citizens of his unwavering commitment to security.
Asserting that he will never abandon his responsibilities, he urged residents to remain united and assured them that the government is actively collaborating with security forces to apprehend the attackers and secure lasting peace.
