Two Killed, One Injured, Houses Burnt as Gunmen Attack Plateau Community

At least two people have been killed and another injured after gunmen attacked four Berom communities in Plateau State, with houses also reportedly set ablaze during the fresh violence.

The attacks occurred on Tuesday night in Gwa-Wereng Rim, Kyeng Village in Bachi District, Dorong and Jol Village, according to the Berom Youth Moulders-Association.

The association, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, identified one of the victims as Bulus Mwagwong, popularly known as Dikko, who was killed during the attack on Gwa-Wereng Rim.

His cousin, identified as Yakubu, was also critically injured in the incident.

The association further disclosed that 47-year-old Stephen Dachollom Kaze was killed at Kyeng Village in Bachi District at about 8:30pm.

A resident, Lyop Gabriel, said the Gwa-Wereng Rim attack occurred around 9:30pm when armed men reportedly entered the community and opened fire on residents.

The violence also spread to Dorong, where attackers allegedly set houses ablaze, destroying property and forcing residents to flee their homes.

At Jol Village, armed assailants reportedly engaged local vigilantes in a gun battle, further increasing tension in the area.

National President of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, condemned the attacks, describing them as a serious threat to the safety and livelihoods of rural residents.

The association expressed particular concern over the impact of recurring attacks on farmers and other residents whose livelihoods depend heavily on access to their farmlands.

It urged security agencies to immediately increase their presence in vulnerable communities, strengthen surveillance and intensify efforts to identify and arrest those behind the attacks.

The group also called for the prosecution of suspects once apprehended, stressing that attacks on rural communities must not be allowed to continue without consequences.

Beyond security measures, the association appealed to the Plateau State Government and other relevant authorities to provide urgent assistance to families affected by the violence, particularly those who lost relatives, homes and other property.

The group extended condolences to the families of Mwagwong and Kaze and wished the injured Yakubu a speedy recovery.

It also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and united while resisting actions capable of worsening tensions in the affected communities.

The association said decisive intervention by security agencies was necessary to protect lives and property and restore confidence among residents.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful as its spokesperson, Alabo Alfred, was reportedly unreachable, with his phone switched off.