No fewer than seven persons, including a police officer, have been killed following a fresh attack on several communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, May 9, 2026, also left six other persons injured, according to residents and local sources.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that armed attackers invaded multiple communities simultaneously, unleashing violence on unsuspecting villagers.
By about 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, seven bodies, including that of the slain police officer, had reportedly been recovered and deposited in a mortuary.
The Berom Youth Moulders Association, led by Barrister Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, confirmed the attack, stating that the officer was caught up in the violence while in one of the affected communities.
The son of the deceased officer, identified simply as Nehemiah, said he had been with his father shortly before the incident.
“We were together before he said he was going somewhere. Suddenly, the attackers came shooting, and my father was caught in the attack,” he said, adding that he could not disclose further details due to official restrictions.
According to the youth association, the coordinated attacks hit Sabon Layi, Rakung, Gangare, as well as areas around the General Hospital axis, including Zat and Bet communities.
The group expressed concern that the attacks occurred despite the presence of security checkpoints and personnel stationed across Barkin Ladi town.
It also passed a vote of no confidence on the Sector 4 Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Col. Victor Asuquo, and the Operations Officer, Capt. Bello, accusing them of repeated security lapses and inability to protect residents.
“It is deeply disturbing that communities continue to come under coordinated attacks in broad daylight and at night without any swift or effective response from security operatives,” the association said.
Residents, it added, now live in fear as armed attackers reportedly move freely across communities, unleashing violence on civilians.
The association further criticised the Plateau State Government over what it described as an inadequate response to recurring insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the state.
It also questioned why the state has yet to establish a dedicated Ministry of Homeland Security and Humanitarian Services to coordinate emergency response and security interventions.
“It is troubling that despite insecurity becoming a perennial challenge in Plateau State, there is still no dedicated ministry to drive proactive security policies and humanitarian interventions,” the group added.
