Youth group decries rising attacks in Plateau despite security presence

The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) has raised alarm over continued attacks on communities in Plateau State despite the presence of security forces.

The group said the assaults, allegedly carried out by armed Fulani militias, have persisted in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South Local Government Areas, targeting innocent residents both during the day and at night.

“We are deeply concerned over the continuous and coordinated attacks being carried out against innocent Berom citizens, even in broad daylight,” Dalyop Mwantiri, the National President of BYM said in a statement on Thursday.

“These incidents reflect a sustained campaign of terror on defenseless communities, with clear intent to instill fear and possibly displace residents from their ancestral lands,” he added.

According to the Association, one of the latest incidents occurred on April 8, 2026, when suspected attackers ambushed travelers returning from mining activities near the Great Commission area along Bokkos Road.

The victims were on their way to Nding in Fan District of Barkin Ladi when the assailants opened fire, killing Ayuba Pam, while two others, Alfred Dung and Nathaniel Bitrus, sustained injuries.

In a separate attack the same day, gunmen reportedly ambushed commuters along the Gwolhoss–Byei road in Riyom Local Government Area, killing Christopher Joshua, a father of three, as he returned home in the evening.

The Association called on security agencies to intensify patrols and surveillance across identified flashpoints, including the Great Commission–Bokkos road, Gashish axis, Rahoss-Rim road, Kwi-Farin Lamba road, Gwolhoss-Jol-Sho road, and Rim-Bachi road, which it described as recurring ambush corridors.

Meanwhile, hours after the statement by the BYM, gunmen on Thursday night invaded Mbwelle village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State and killed at least eight persons.

Most of the victims were members of the same family, BusinessDay gathered.

Those killed included Iliya Mangut Dakus, Luck Titus Dakus, Habila Istifanu Dakus, Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus and Innocent Barnabas Makwin.

Kefas Mallai, the Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, confirmed the killings in Jos on Friday.

He said the attack occurred around 11pm when the assailants invaded the community and opened fire indiscriminately on residents, leaving about three other persons injured while some community members were still missing.

Mallai said there was no immediate security response despite the attack lasting for several hours. He added that residents were angered by the situation and were considering protests over what they described as lack of protection.

Christopher Luka,Youth Leader of Bokkos, also confirmed the incident, describing it as a devastating assault on the people of the area. He said the gunmen targeted one family, with eight confirmed dead, several injured, and others unaccounted for.

Efforts to get the reaction of security agencies were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

Bokkos and neighbouring local government areas in Plateau State have faced recurring security challenges in recent years. The situation escalated recently with reports of ambushes and killings in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South LGAs.

In one incident, gunmen ambushed travellers returning from mining activities along the Bokkos Road, killing one person and injuring two others.

In another attack the same day, a father of three was killed along the Gwolhoss–Byei road in Riyom LGA while returning home.

Community groups have raised concerns over the continued attacks and called on security agencies to intensify surveillance and patrols in identified flashpoints.

Efforts to get the reaction of Alfred Alabo, the Plateau State Police Command spokesman were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.