At least nine people have been killed in a fresh wave of attacks across Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities in Plateau State, with renewed gunfire forcing residents to evacuate women and children from some areas.
Five of the victims were passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Saturday night when they came under attack. Two others, including a pastor, were reportedly killed the following morning while travelling to church in Dorowa Babuje.
Additional attacks were reported in other communities. A woman was reportedly killed at Baten Wereng in Riyom Local Government Area on Saturday night, while another person lost his life at Ratyidi in Fan District.
The violence also resulted in reports of cattle being killed or stolen around Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis at about 3 a.m. on Sunday.
National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, Bulus Dabit, confirmed the deaths at Gana-Ropp and called on security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible.
Pyem Youth Leader in Gana-Ropp, Ukasha Garaba, said five bodies were recovered from the area. He explained that the victims were passengers travelling to the community as labourers.
The Berom Youth Moulders spokesman, Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the attacks, describing the situation as disturbing and unacceptable.
Tension later escalated in Dorowa Bubuje after residents reported hearing gunshots from the direction of Kantoma. Community member Lawrence Shong said women and children were being moved to safer locations as gunfire continued.
Tengwong, who was present in the community, said military personnel had been deployed but called for sustained security operations to protect residents and prevent further attacks.
Meanwhile, the Barkin Ladi secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Gambo Abubakar, confirmed reports of cattle being stolen and urged security agencies to investigate.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, reacting to the renewed violence, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting residents and restoring peace across Plateau State.
Speaking at the 2026 Plateau Annual Convention of the General Council of the Assemblies of God Nigeria in Jos South, Mutfwang said his administration would continue working with security agencies to confront perpetrators of violence.
He said Plateau State would not be defeated by violence, urging residents to remain united as efforts continued to address insecurity.
