Nine people died in renewed attacks in Plateau State following the conclusion of political party primaries, shattering a brief period of calm. Violence returned to Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas within days of the primaries ending, with the Berom Youth Moulders-Association reporting killings and widespread destruction of farmlands. The group named 52-year-old Joshua Bulus of Dyan community in Rim Village, Riyom LGA, as one of the victims, stating he was killed by armed men allegedly grazing cattle near the community. Farmlands in Gassa community, Ropp District, Barkin Ladi LGA, were also destroyed, with about five hectares of cabbage and carrot farms razed just before harvest.
The association condemned the attacks, citing continued killings, sexual harassment of women, cattle rustling and destruction of property across affected communities. It noted that the latest incidents occurred barely two days after another deadly attack in Gwom-Ajang village, Foron District, Barkin Ladi LGA, where several people were killed and others severely injured. The group referred to the attackers as "armed terrorists" and confirmed eight deaths and over 10 serious injuries. However, the Plateau State Police Command gave a lower figure, with Police Public Relations Officer Alfred Alabo confirming five deaths. He stated that the Commissioner of Police had ordered senior officers to relocate to the area to restore order and increase security presence.
The Berom Youth Moulders-Association linked the timing of the violence to the end of the primaries, suggesting a possible correlation between political activity and security levels. In its statement, signed by National Publicity Secretary Rwang Tengwong, the association expressed concern over the cyclical nature of violence in the region. It recalled that relative calm had held during the primaries, only to be broken afterward. The group also referenced recent assurances by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang following his visits to affected communities in Barkin Ladi and Bassa LGAs. Despite these assurances, attacks have persisted, deepening anxiety among residents about long-term safety.
The Berom Youth Moulders-Association claims violence dipped during party primaries and surged immediately after, yet Governor Caleb Mutfwang's security assurances followed by renewed killings suggest his interventions failed to prevent bloodshed. Armed attacks continue to disrupt farming in Gassa and Rim Village, endangering livelihoods just before harvest. The police reported five deaths while the youth group reported nine, exposing a disconnect in official versus community accounts. Farmers in Barkin Ladi lost five hectares of cabbage and carrot farms, compounding economic hardship in communities already reeling from insecurity.
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