Four community vigilantes have been killed by gunmen who attacked Shurum village in Dorowa Babuje, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack reportedly occurred at about 11:56 p.m. on Friday, when the assailants stormed the community and opened an attack on the vigilantes who were keeping watch to protect residents.
A community member, Bulus Bature, confirmed the incident, expressing sadness over the killing of the volunteers who were carrying out security duties in their community.
“They were watching over our community when the gunmen struck and killed them,” Bature said.
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Lamenting the incident, he described the killings as painful, noting that the victims had volunteered to protect their people from security threats.
“It is painful that people who volunteered to protect their community could be attacked and killed while carrying out their duty,” he added.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the attack to Vanguard, stating that the association had received reports of the incident and could confirm that four people were killed.
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“We received information about the attack and can confirm that four people were killed by the gunmen,” Tengwong said.
He condemned the killings, describing the incident as unfortunate and expressing concern over the targeting of residents who were volunteering to safeguard their community.
“It is unfortunate that our people, who were keeping watch over their community, were targeted and killed,” he said.
Tengwong expressed the association’s sadness over the latest attack and called on relevant security agencies to launch an urgent investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
He also raised concerns about the safety of community members who have taken it upon themselves to protect their neighborhoods, warning that residents should not be left to live in fear while those providing voluntary security are exposed to attacks.
“Our people cannot continue to live in fear while those volunteering to protect their communities are being attacked and killed,” he said.
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The BYM spokesperson further appealed to the government and security agencies to strengthen security around the affected communities to prevent further attacks and protect residents.
The latest incident adds to security concerns in the Barkin Ladi area, where residents are seeking improved protection against attacks. However, further details about the circumstances surrounding the killing of the four vigilantes were not immediately available.
Efforts to reach security operatives for official confirmation of the incident were unsuccessful as of press time.
The identities of the deceased, the suspected attackers and the motive behind the attack had not been officially established in the information available at the time of reporting.
