Six Killed as Gunmen Attack Plateau Community

Gunmen stormed Nding Susut community in Fan District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State late Tuesday night, killing six people, including five members of the same family.

The attack, which occurred around 9 p.m., has sparked anger and fear among residents already weary of recurring violence in parts of the state.

A resident, Weng Christopher, said the assailants opened fire on unsuspecting villagers, killing five members of one family on the spot, while another resident was also shot dead. He lamented that such incidents had become too frequent, leaving people living in constant fear.

The Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the killings and called for urgent intervention by security agencies. He noted that the gunmen attempted a similar attack on Rim community in neighbouring Riyom Local Government Area the same night but were repelled by local vigilantes and operatives of Operation Rainbow, the state-owned security outfit.

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the attack, stating that the gunmen opened fire on residents who were seated outside their homes. The police reported that five persons four women and a nine-year-old boy lost their lives, while three others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at a general hospital. The corpses have been deposited at the morgue.

Police officers led by the Divisional Police Officer in Barkin Ladi were immediately deployed to the scene. The area has since been secured, and normalcy is gradually returning.

The Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, condemned the attack and extended condolences to the affected families and the community. He disclosed that additional tactical teams, including mobile police units and specialised operatives, have been deployed for patrols, intelligence gathering, and rapid response.

Investigations are ongoing in collaboration with other security agencies and community leaders to apprehend the perpetrators. Residents have been urged to remain calm and provide credible information to aid the investigations.

The latest incident adds to growing concerns over persistent attacks in Plateau communities, with repeated calls for stronger security presence and proactive measures to curb the killings.