Plateau community recovers police officer’s corpse, six others after terror attack
Residents of Barkin Ladi in Plateau State have recovered seven bodies, including that of a police officer, following coordinated attacks by armed assailants on Saturday night.
Residents of Barkin Ladi in Plateau State have recovered seven bodies, including that of a police officer, following coordinated attacks by armed assailants on Saturday night.
A community leader and National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday.
Tengwong said the bodies were recovered and deposited at a mortuary as of about 1:00 a.m. on Sunday.
“As at 1:00 a.m. today (Sunday), no fewer than seven corpses, including that of a police officer, have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary, while six other persons who sustained varying degrees of injuries are currently receiving medical attention,” the association stated in an update on the security situation.
The attacks reportedly occurred simultaneously in Sabon Layi, Rakung, Gangare, and the General Hospital area covering Zat and Bet.
“The attacks, which occurred simultaneously in areas including Sabon Layi, Rakung, Gangare, and the General Hospital area (Zat and Bet), have once again exposed the helplessness of residents despite the heavy presence of security checkpoints and personnel across Barkin Ladi town,” the statement read.
The Berom Youth Moulders Association maintained its earlier vote of no confidence passed on the Sector 4 Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Col. Victor Asuquo, and the Operations Officer, Capt. Bello, over what it described as “consistent security failure, negligence, and inability to protect lives and property within their jurisdiction.”
“It is deeply disturbing that communities continue to come under coordinated attacks in broad daylight and at night without any swift or effective response from security operatives,” the group said.
“Residents now live in constant fear, uncertainty, and trauma while armed attackers move freely across communities unleashing terror on innocent civilians,” it added.
The group also criticised the Plateau State Government over its response to recurring attacks, questioning why a dedicated Ministry of Homeland Security and Humanitarian Services had not been established.
“Since insecurity has become a perennial challenge in Plateau State, the Association questions why the government has not considered establishing a full Ministry of Homeland Security and Humanitarian Services to coordinate proactive security policies, emergency response, and support for affected communities,” it said.
The association also raised concerns over the role of the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, alleging “apparent absence of meaningful intervention” in affected communities.
“In many of these attacks, traumatised community members are left alone to evacuate corpses without any emergency support from government agencies,” it noted.
“A situation where dead bodies are wrapped in local materials and carried with bare hands for burial by grieving residents not only poses serious public health risks but also reflects gross irresponsibility and failure in emergency humanitarian response by the government,” it added.
The group insisted that residents of Plateau State “deserve protection, dignity, and immediate humanitarian intervention,” urging authorities to “move beyond condolences and demonstrate genuine commitment to securing lives and supporting communities devastated by these persistent attacks.”
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government and the State Police Command were yet to officially react to the latest killings in Barkin Ladi, the headquarters of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, as of the time of filing this report.
Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, and the Police Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as their phones were switched off.
