JOS — At least nine people have reportedly been killed in separate attacks across Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities in Plateau State between Saturday night and Sunday morning, heightening tension in the affected areas.
Five of the victims were reportedly passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area when they came under attack on Saturday night.
Two other people, including a pastor, were also reportedly killed on their way to church at Dorowa Babuje on Sunday morning.
The National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA), Bulus Dabit, confirmed the killing of the five passengers at Gana-Ropp and condemned the attack.
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Dabit called on security agencies to urgently identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible, while expressing concern over the recurring attacks and their impact on residents.
He urged the authorities to strengthen security in vulnerable communities to enable residents to go about their lawful activities without fear.
The Pyem Youth Leader in Gana-Ropp, Ukasha Garaba, also confirmed that five bodies had been evacuated from the area.
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“We evacuated the corpses of five persons from Gana-Ropp. They were passengers who were travelling as labourers,” Garaba said.
He described the incident as painful and appealed for urgent measures to protect travellers and prevent further attacks.
In a separate incident, two people, including a pastor, were reportedly killed while travelling to church at Dorowa Babuje. The incident has reportedly heightened tension in Kantoma and surrounding communities in Barkin Ladi.
A woman was also reportedly killed at Baten Wereng in Riyom Local Government Area on Saturday night, September 19, while another person was reportedly killed at Ratyidi in Fan District.
The spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attacks and condemned the killings.
Tengwong described the incidents as worrisome and called on security agencies to increase their presence in the affected communities.
“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,” he said.
He urged authorities to investigate the incidents, identify those responsible and ensure they face prosecution.
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Tengwong also appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant while urging security agencies to take proactive measures to protect lives and property.
Meanwhile, reports also indicate that several cattle were killed or stolen at Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis at about 3am on Sunday.
The Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Barkin Ladi, Gambo Abubakar, confirmed reports of cattle being stolen in the area.
He called on security agencies to investigate the incident and take steps to restore calm in the affected communities.
The latest incidents have renewed concerns over the security situation in parts of Plateau State, with residents and community leaders calling for increased security presence and urgent action to prevent further loss of lives.
