NINE PEOPLE KILLED IN PLATEAU FRESH ATTACKS
At least nine people have been killed in a series of separate attacks across Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and surrounding communities in Plateau State between Saturday night and Sunday morning, plunging the region into renewed tension.
The weekend violence began on Saturday night when five passengers traveling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) were ambushed and killed.
The victims, identified as laborers, were traveling to their destination when the attackers struck. Ukasha Garaba, the Pyem Youth Leader in Gana-Ropp, confirmed that emergency responders had evacuated five bodies from the scene, describing the incident as deeply painful and demanding urgent protection for travelers.Bulus Dabit, the National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA), strongly condemned the Gana-Ropp killings.
He lamented the persistent loss of innocent lives, stating that the recurring ambushes have inflicted deep fear and anguish upon local residents.
Dabit urgently called on security agencies to track down, arrest, and prosecute the perpetrators to restore confidence in the region.
The bloodshed continued into Sunday morning at Dorowa Babuje, where two people including a local pastor were targeted and killed while on their way to a church service.
The ambush has sparked heavy tension in the Kantoma axis and adjacent communities.
Additionally, a woman was hacked down at Baten Wereng in Riyom LGA on Saturday night, while another resident was murdered at Ratyidi in the Fan District.
Confirming these separate incidents, Rwang Tengwong, the Spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), labeled the coordinated violence as deeply worrisome.
“We condemn these attacks in the strongest terms and call on the security agencies to urgently strengthen their presence in the affected communities.
The killing of innocent people must stop,” Tengwong stated, while appealing to residents to remain calm, stay vigilant, and allow the law to take its course.
Adding economic devastation to the human toll, rustlers struck Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis at around 3:00 AM on Sunday, killing and stealing dozens of livestock. Gambo Abubakar, the Barkin Ladi Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), confirmed the livestock theft and urged security forces to thoroughly investigate the incident to help de-escalate the bubbling communal friction.
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