Gunmen have killed a former Councillor of Rim Ward in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, Hon. Daniel Danjuma Chong, in a night attack on Torok community. The assault occurred on Sunday night, August 2, 2026, at approximately 10:45 pm, according to the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM).
Attack Details and Confirmation
The National Publicity Secretary of BYM, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday. He stated that suspected armed Fulani militias, alongside hired bandits, carried out the attack. The assailants reportedly came from Kess, a Fulani settlement known as Bangai-Fulani, and invaded the community at about 11:00 pm, shooting sporadically.
During the attack, the gunmen riddled Hon. Chong, also known as Hon. Star, with bullets, resulting in his death. They also inflicted a fatal gunshot injury on Mr. David Dachollom Danjuma before fleeing the scene back to Bangai-Fulani. The BYM statement expressed deep sadness over the terror attack, which it strongly condemned in its entirety.
Official Statement and Condemnation
“The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), under the leadership of its National President, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, is saddened by another round of last night terror attack that claimed the life of former legislator of Riyom LGA which is strongly condemned in its entirety,” the statement read.
According to local sources within the affected villages in Torok of Rim Community, the attackers, who reportedly came from Kess, invaded the village at about 11:00 pm. They shot sporadically, inflicted a fatal gunshot injury on Mr. David Dachollom Danjuma, and then fled back to Bangai-Fulani. The BYM extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and the people of Torok Community, and wished Mr. David Dachollom Danjuma a speedy recovery.
Call for Security Action
The BYM called on security agencies and the Plateau State Government to urgently seek the arrest of the perpetrators and fundamentally dislodge all terrorist enclaves, including Bangai-Fulani. The statement warned that unless this is done, Plateau State and its environs may know no peace at all.
“We equally call for outright ban on open grazing, which has continually been abused as a cover to foster terrorism and banditry in Riyom and the State at large,” the statement added. “The continuous killing of innocent citizens is unacceptable. Those responsible must face justice.”
Background and Recurring Violence
This incident is part of a troubling pattern of violence in Plateau State, where communities have faced repeated attacks attributed to herder-farmer conflicts and banditry. The killing of a former public official underscores the severity of the security challenges in the region. Local leaders and youth groups have repeatedly called for stronger security measures and policy changes to address the root causes of the violence.
The Plateau State Government has yet to issue an official response to this latest attack. However, the BYM’s statement highlights the urgency of the situation, as residents live in fear of further assaults. The call for an outright ban on open grazing reflects a broader demand from various stakeholders in the state to curb the use of grazing routes as cover for criminal activities.
