Gunmen Kill Nine Family Members Including Infant in Plateau State Attack

Suspected gunmen killed at least nine members of one family, including an infant, in a late-night attack on two communities in Plateau State. The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attack and said the assailants struck under cover of darkness.

"The assailants struck when everyone was asleep and unleashed violence on helpless residents," he said. Tengwong added that security agencies had been alerted and expressed hope that those responsible would be arrested and prosecuted. Police had not commented on the attack as of the time of the report.

The killings add to a series of deadly attacks recorded across Plateau State in recent weeks. On 6 July, six people were killed and another injured in separate attacks on communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas. The Berom Youth Moulders Association blamed those attacks on armed Fulani assailants and called for intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal camps across the state.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria rejected similar allegations made in earlier attacks.

The renewed violence comes days after suspected gunmen attempted another attack on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Jos South Local Government Area. Security operatives repelled the assault on 2 July, killing one of the attackers, while troops of Operation Enduring Peace later announced the arrest of additional suspects.

On 30 June, the Plateau State Government appointed a retired brigadier-general as Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, redeployed another brigadier-general to coordinate the Safe School Programme, and appointed a retired major-general as Special Adviser on Security.