In a recent escalation of violence, suspected gunmen have reportedly killed a soldier and three civilians during a nighttime assault on Bel village, located within the Sho community of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area in Plateau State. The attack, which occurred at approximately 9 pm on Sunday, also left several other individuals wounded.
Mr. Bulus Bot, a resident of the area, recounted the terrifying incident, stating that the assailants stormed the community under the cover of darkness, indiscriminately opening fire on unsuspecting residents. "The gunmen stormed the community at about 9 pm and opened fire on innocent citizens, leaving some people dead, and others injured," he confirmed.
The killings were corroborated by Rwang Tengwong, the Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association. Tengwong identified three of the civilian victims as Emmanuel Pam Dachung, aged 15; Joseph Gyang, aged 28; and Emmanuel Yohanna, aged 32. He further confirmed that a soldier was among those who lost their lives in the brutal attack and urged security agencies to promptly identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
When contacted for comment, Captain Polycarp Oteh, the spokesperson for Operation Enduring Peace, pledged to provide a response, though none had been received at the time of reporting.
Recent Spate of Attacks
This latest incident follows just four days after two herders and numerous cattle were reportedly killed near the Tafawa community in Riyom Local Government Area on Wednesday night. Between October 27 and November 8, the state recorded at least five separate attacks across four local government areas, resulting in the deaths of more than 20 people, including two soldiers and a mobile police officer.
Despite ongoing security operations in Plateau State, communities in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, and Riyom Local Government Areas continue to suffer from persistent violence. The escalating insecurity compelled the state government to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the affected regions on September 21. However, attacks have tragically persisted, with numerous fatalities, including women and children, reported since the introduction of the restriction.
President Bola Tinubu visited the state on April 2, 2026, to express his condolences to the victims of the violence. During his visit, he vowed to address the insecurity and pledged to deploy 5,000 artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV cameras to help prevent future attacks. While some cameras have been installed within the state capital, Jos, their deployment to communities outside the city, where the majority of attacks have occurred, is yet to be completed.
Accusations Between Farmers and Herders
Amidst the ongoing violence, leaders from both the Berom and Fulani communities continue to trade accusations regarding responsibility for the attacks and killings within Plateau State. Barrister Solomon Dalyop, the National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, accused members of the herding community of attempting to dislodge Berom people from their ancestral lands. He highlighted that several Berom communities had been targeted, leading to hundreds of deaths and the destruction of millions of naira worth of crops.
Conversely, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, the Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), asserted that members of the farming community were responsible for attacking their members. Babayo maintained that these attacks were designed to drive Fulani people out of the state, emphasising that they are indigenes, akin to other ethnic groups. He added that dozens of their members had been killed, alongside the loss or rustling of cattle.
Both community groups have called for enhanced surveillance and targeted patrols along routes frequently used for attacks and ambushes. They have also urged security agencies to establish reliable emergency contact lines and ensure prompt responses to distress calls. Furthermore, both the Berom and Fulani leaders advocate for improved security around farmlands, regular updates on investigations and security operations, and decisive action against those found to be spreading misinformation or inciting violence. They collectively called upon security agencies to ensure that all cases of killings are thoroughly investigated and that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Plateau State Governor Announces New Security Measures
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has announced comprehensive plans to establish operational camps for the state-owned security outfit, Operation Rainbow, in all 17 local government areas. This initiative aims to bolster intelligence gathering and more effectively combat insecurity across the state.
Governor Mutfwang made this disclosure on Monday during the passing-out parade of 353 retrained operatives of the security outfit. He noted that 11 operational camps have already been established, with plans underway to provide vehicles and motorcycles to support their deployment.
The governor further elaborated on the state government's commitment to enhancing the agency's intelligence-gathering capabilities through advanced technology. This includes the integration of drones and the establishment of a command and control centre, designed to improve surveillance and facilitate the timely sharing of critical security information. "The state intends that each local government will have an operational camp that will use drones in getting information in real time and passing it to other security agencies," Mutfwang stated.
Mutfwang clarified that Operation Rainbow primarily functions as an intelligence-gathering outfit rather than an armed force, with its personnel specifically trained to support conventional security agencies. He highlighted that the operatives, being residents of the communities in which they work, possess an intimate understanding of the local terrain, enabling them to effectively identify threats and respond to emergencies.
He also mentioned the establishment of the Plateau State Special Activities Centre (PSAC), equipped with drones and monitoring facilities, which will empower security agencies to monitor developments across the state in real-time. Emphasising peace and security as top priorities of his administration, Governor Mutfwang stated that the retraining programme aimed to instil improved discipline, professionalism, and the ability to provide early warnings among the operatives. He urged them to uphold integrity and exercise restraint, cautioning that no individual is above the law. The governor directed the operatives to work collaboratively with conventional security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders, stressing that intelligence sharing and cooperation are indispensable for achieving lasting peace.