In a grim confirmation of persistent violence, a pastor has publicly identified twelve Christians who were brutally murdered by terrorists in Plateau State. The attack, which targeted a mining site, has sent shockwaves through the community and reignited urgent calls for government action.
Victims Identified in Barkin Ladi Tragedy
Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo released the names and ages of the victims, confirming the horrific incident that occurred on December 16, 2025. The assault took place at a mining site in the Atoso Fan District, located within the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The list provided by Pastor Dachomo personalizes the tragedy, highlighting men and a youth whose lives were cut short:
- Joseph Jacob Dung – 45 years
- Luka Gambo Fom – 34 years
- Alex Sunday Pulle – 35 years
- Israel Samson – 25 years
- Chuwang Job – 37 years
- Albert Dung Chollom – 34 years
- Davou Rwang – 50 years
- Peter Silas – 33 years
- Weng Yohanna – 15 years
- Yunisent Samuel – 17 years
- Bullus Pam Bot – 38 years
- Dung Yakubu Dung – 30 years
Community in Mourning, Leaders Demand Justice
The killings have underscored the severe and ongoing security challenges facing Plateau State, where communities are repeatedly subjected to violent assaults. Local leaders view the mining site attack as part of a disturbing pattern of targeted violence against Christian residents in the region.
Pastor Dachomo, in his statement, urged authorities to act swiftly to ensure the victims' families receive justice. He emphasized that the community remains in deep mourning and called for stronger protective measures for vulnerable areas in Barkin Ladi. His public release of the victims' details serves as both a memorial and a powerful appeal for accountability.
Broader Context of Nigeria's Insecurity Crisis
This tragedy in Plateau State is not an isolated event but a symptom of the widespread insecurity plaguing Nigeria. The nation continues to grapple with violent attacks, kidnappings, and communal clashes across multiple regions.
In 2025 alone, reports indicated a devastating toll, with more than 800 lives lost to violence in just the first six weeks of the year. The crisis spans from the persistent Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east to mass killings in states like Benue, where hundreds have died and thousands have been displaced.
Security experts point to complex drivers behind the violence, including financial systems that facilitate ransom payments and illicit arms purchases. For many Nigerians, this pervasive insecurity, combined with economic hardships like inflation, has created an unprecedented survival crisis.
While the Federal Government has called for national unity and cooperation to confront insurgency, attacks like the one in Barkin Ladi highlight the urgent need for strategies that deliver tangible security results for citizens on the ground.
