Six killed as group alleges fresh terror attacks on Plateau communities

The Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) has alleged that armed terrorists killed six people and critically injured one woman in separate attacks on Berom communities in Plateau State’s Riyom Local Government Area and Barkin Ladi Local Government Area between Saturday and Sunday.

The statement, signed by Rwang Tengwong, National Publicity Secretary of BYM, and made available to journalists on Sunday in Jos, stated that the attacks occurred in Ta-Hoss and Kwi communities in Riyom LGA and Sabon Layi in Barkin Ladi LGA. It added that the association was speaking under the leadership of Solomon Mwantiri, its president.

“These attacks are not isolated incidents but form part of a persistent pattern of violence deliberately targeting innocent civilians, farmers, and rural communities. The repeated killings continue to instil fear, displace families, and threaten the livelihoods of the Berom people.”

“BYM is deeply concerned by recent security intelligence reports indicating that armed terrorists are allegedly camped in different locations across Plateau State with the objective of launching coordinated attacks on vulnerable communities. Security agencies must act proactively rather than waiting to respond after attacks have occurred.”

According to the statement, armed attackers operating from a Fulani settlement in the Bangai axis allegedly attacked farmers at Rinyan Village in Ta-Hoss at about 2 p.m. on Saturday, killing Hudung Luka, 40, and critically injuring Ladi Istifanus, 50. It added that later that night, three persons—Sunday, 25, Benjamin James, 33, and Godwin Yakubu, 27—were killed in Sabon Layi, while Peter Bulus was reportedly killed in Kwi Village in the early hours of Sunday.

The association expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured victim a speedy recovery, saying it stood in solidarity with affected communities during the period of mourning.

BYM called on the federal government, the Plateau State government, and security agencies to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for the attacks and their alleged sponsors.

It also urged intensified surveillance of flashpoints, intelligence-led operations to dismantle suspected camps, and decisive action to prevent further attacks, while insisting that the Berom people have the right to live peacefully on their ancestral land.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from Alfred Alabo, the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.