At least nine people, including a pastor and five labourers, were killed in fresh attacks across Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State between Saturday night and Sunday morning. The victims included five passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi LGA who were ambushed on Saturday night, and a pastor killed on Sunday morning while heading to church at Dorowa Babuje.
Attack on Labourers Travelling to Gana-Ropp
According to reports, the five labourers were travelling to Gana-Ropp when gunmen attacked them on Saturday night. The National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, Bulus Dabit, condemned the killings and called for urgent action. "The continued attacks are causing pain and fear among residents and should not be allowed to continue," Dabit said. He urged security agencies to track down those responsible and ensure they face justice.
The Pyem Youth Leader in Gana-Ropp, Ukasha Garaba, also confirmed the attack. "We evacuated the corpses of five persons from Gana-Ropp. They were passengers who were travelling as labourers," he said.
Pastor Killed on Way to Church
In another attack on Sunday morning, two people, including a pastor, 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 death toll to at least nine.
The spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, described the attacks as unacceptable. "We learnt that the pastor was going to church when he was attacked and killed. We condemn these attacks in the strongest terms," Tengwong said. "The killing of innocent people must stop." He appealed to security agencies to increase their presence in the affected communities, investigate the attacks and arrest everyone behind the violence.
Cattle Rustling and Security Response
The violence also involved cattle rustling. Several cattle were reportedly rustled or killed around Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis at about 3 a.m. on Sunday. 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 and restore peace to the area.
Security personnel were deployed to the affected communities as residents called for justice and an end to the killings. Although the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, had not officially commented on the incidents at the time of filing this report, sources at the command headquarters said the Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Faniyan, had already deployed additional security personnel to the affected communities.
Recurring Violence in Plateau State
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. Tension remains high in Kantoma and neighbouring communities as fears of more attacks continue to grow.
