Eight people, among them a police officer, died in coordinated attacks on six communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday. The violence occurred around 5:00pm in Sabon Layi, Rakung, Gana Ropp, Kworos-Gangare, Bet and Zat. A statement from the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, signed by its National Publicity Secretary Rwang Tengwong, confirmed seven people were killed during the attacks, with one body discovered the following morning. The deceased include Andrew, known as Baban Grace, Dung Chung, Ngo Esther Yusuf, police officer Baban Christy, Bitrus the car painter from Kworos-Gangare, and three unidentified men from Gana Ropp, Deeper Life Church area in Gura Kworos, and Kashan Gwol.
Seven injured victims are receiving medical treatment, with Tek Pam, Dajack Pam, Paul Yakubu, an unidentified man from Sabon Layi, one person from Gana Ropp, and two men from Kashan Gwol among them. One of the wounded was moved to Jos University Teaching Hospital, while others are being treated locally. The Berom Youth Moulders-Association reiterated its no-confidence vote against Victor Asuquo, colonel and Sector 4 Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, and Captain Bello, the Operations Officer, citing failure to protect civilians.
The group described the attacks as deeply disturbing, noting that armed assailants operate freely, striking in daylight and at night without effective response from security forces. Residents now live in fear, the statement said. Alfred Alabo, Police Public Relations Officer for Plateau State, was unreachable for comment at the time of reporting, with phone lines inactive and text messages unanswered.
The Berom Youth Moulders-Association condemns security failures while naming a police officer among the dead, exposing the frontline risk even for law enforcement. If armed groups can kill a serving officer in broad daylight, the safety of civilians in Barkin Ladi is untenable. The no-confidence vote against the Sector 4 Commander and Operations Officer gains weight with each unchallenged attack. No response from the state police spokesperson further deepens public distrust.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →
