The death toll from Saturday’s coordinated attacks on communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area has reportedly risen to 10, including a police officer, while six others sustained injuries.
The attacks, allegedly carried out by heavily armed gunmen, triggered widespread panic across several communities in the local government area as residents fled their homes for safety.
Affected areas include Sabon Layi, Rakung, Gangare, and the General Hospital area, popularly known as Zat and Bet.
Residents said the attackers struck simultaneously on Saturday evening, opening fire sporadically and causing chaos across the affected communities.
According to local sources, the bodies of 10 victims had been recovered as of Sunday morning from various locations and deposited at mortuaries, while the injured are receiving treatment at undisclosed medical facilities.
The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, also confirmed the killing of three herders during the attacks.
A resident, Livinus Pam, disclosed that the casualty figures were still being verified as emergency efforts continued.
The violence followed an earlier attack on Sabon Layi community where a woman was reportedly killed and another victim rushed to Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Reacting to the development, the Berom Youth Moulders-Association expressed grave concern over what it described as the worsening insecurity in Barkin Ladi despite the presence of multiple security checkpoints.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the association reiterated its vote of no confidence in the Sector 4 Commander of Operation Enduring Peace.
The group accused security operatives of failing to adequately protect lives and property, alleging that attackers continue to move freely across communities without effective resistance.
The association also called on both the federal and Plateau State governments to establish a Ministry of Homeland Security and Humanitarian Services to strengthen emergency response and victim support systems.
It further criticised the alleged lack of intervention from the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, noting that affected residents were often left to evacuate corpses and care for the wounded without official assistance.
According to the group, the practice of grieving residents wrapping corpses in local wrappers for burial reflects a major humanitarian and security failure.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not issued any official statement regarding the attacks.
The incident adds to growing concerns over persistent violence in Plateau communities and raises fresh questions about the effectiveness of existing security measures in the state.
What You Should Know
The latest attack in Barkin Ladi highlights Plateau State’s recurring security challenges, particularly in communities frequently affected by communal and armed violence.
The rising death toll and allegations of delayed security response have renewed concerns about the capacity of existing operations to protect vulnerable areas. Calls for stronger emergency management structures and more proactive security coordination are likely to intensify.
Plateau has witnessed repeated cycles of violence over the years, making sustainable peacebuilding and rapid-response mechanisms critical to preventing further loss of lives.
