Fresh Plateau bloodshed claims nine from same family, infant among victims

By Florence Kalu

At least nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, were reportedly killed in a late-night attack on Kum community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, in the latest wave of violence to hit the troubled region.

The attack, which residents attributed to suspected armed Fulani militias, reportedly began around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and lasted for more than an hour, leaving several houses in mourning and the village head critically injured.

Residents said the attackers stormed the community under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically before moving from house to house, where victims were allegedly shot and hacked to death.

A resident, Precious Tok, said the assailants invaded the village in large numbers, forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes to escape the onslaught.

“The gunmen came in large numbers, shooting everywhere. We could hear screams from different houses. They entered homes and slaughtered people. It was one of the deadliest attacks we have witnessed in recent times,” Tok said.

According to him, nine members of a single family were killed in one household, including a two-month-old infant.

“Even the baby was not spared. We ran into the bush for safety and only returned this morning to recover the bodies,” he added.

Another resident, who declined to be named for security reasons, described the aftermath of the attack as heartbreaking and appealed to the government to urgently end the recurring bloodshed in the area.

“We buried our children with our own hands again. Every time they come at night, innocent people are killed before help arrives. We are tired of living in fear,” the resident lamented.

The Public Relations Officer of the Berom Youths Moulders Association (BYM), Riyom District, Comrade Vincent Caleb Alamba, also confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the attackers struck under the cover of darkness and inflicted heavy casualties on the community.

The latest killings have heightened fears among residents of Riyom, one of Plateau State’s most volatile local government areas, which has witnessed repeated attacks despite the deployment of security personnel.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the attack or confirm the casualty figures.

The renewed violence is expected to intensify calls on the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve rapid response to distress calls and bring perpetrators of attacks in Plateau communities to justice.

The incident comes amid persistent concerns over recurring violence in Plateau State, where clashes and attacks on rural communities have continued to claim lives, destroy property and displace thousands of residents over the years.