At least 15 people were killed in a series of coordinated armed attacks that struck three local government areas in Plateau State on the night of Sunday, July 20. The deadliest incident targeted passengers travelling to Jos, with nine of the victims killed in the Dungus community of Jos South Local Government Area.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders, confirmed the Dungus attack via telephone from Jos on Monday, September 14. He stated that the incident occurred around 9:40 p.m. and that all the victims were passengers heading to Jos when suspected terrorists opened fire on their vehicle without warning.
"The incident happened around 9.40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development, and we lament the loss of lives," Tengwong said.
Survivors Rushed to Hospital but Some Died
A resident of the community, Musa Dauda, added that some of the injured passengers were rushed to a hospital but did not survive their wounds. "Some of the passengers who were injured were taken to the hospital, but some of them died while receiving treatment. Others are still in the hospital receiving treatment," Dauda said.
The attack in Dungus was not an isolated incident. In Mangu Local Government Area, gunmen struck the Vodni community in Pushit District during the same night, killing two people and leaving four others with gunshot wounds. The injured were taken to a hospital in Mangu town for treatment.
Attacks Also Hit Mangu and Riyom
In Riyom Local Government Area, a further two people were killed when attackers targeted a community known as Tahoos. This appeared to be a separate but simultaneous operation, according to local reports.
The Plateau State Police Command spokesman, Alabo Alfred, and the media officer of Operation Enduring Peace, Chinonso Oteh, had not responded to enquiries about the three attacks at the time this report was filed.
Previous Attack in Benue Kills Police and Residents
In a related development, armed bandits killed four mobile policemen and eight residents during an attack on Ayilamo, a farming community in Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. Tyolumun Ugande, a resident of Ayilamo, said more than 200 gunmen entered the community through the Alufu Road axis of neighbouring Taraba State, firing weapons and burning down houses as they advanced. A detachment of mobile police officers deployed to the area engaged the attackers, who were said to be carrying sophisticated weapons.
The coordinated nature of the Plateau attacks and the continued violence in the North-Central region underscore the security challenges facing the area. With the police yet to issue an official statement, the full extent of the casualties and the identity of the perpetrators remain unclear.
