By Stephen Simon
No fewer than eight persons have been killed and more than 15 others injured following a late-night attack by suspected armed bandits on Gwon-Ajang village in Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attackers, said to be over 100 in number and heavily armed, reportedly stormed the community at about 10 p.m. on Sunday, unleashing terror on residents who had retired to their homes for the night.
A resident of the area, Joseph Azi, who spoke on the incident on Monday, said the assailants invaded the village and immediately opened fire, forcing residents to flee for safety.
According to him, the attackers operated in the community for more than two hours, shooting indiscriminately and causing widespread panic.
“The attackers invaded Gwon-Ajang village at about 10 p.m. on Sunday. They were more than 100 and heavily armed. People had already gone to bed when they struck,” Azi said.
“Immediately they entered the village, they started shooting while shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ and speaking in Fulfulde throughout the attack. Residents made frantic calls to security agencies, but no help came while the attack lasted.
“By the time the attackers left, eight people had been killed and more than 15 others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” he added.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have continued to plague communities in parts of Plateau State, raising fresh concerns over the security situation in the region.
National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the incident but said he was still gathering details.
Tengwong stated that the association would issue a formal statement after verifying the casualty figures and other facts surrounding the attack.
Efforts to obtain official reactions from security authorities were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Calls and text messages sent to the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, as well as the Media Information Officer of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycarp Oteh, were not responded to.
Meanwhile, residents have called on security agencies to strengthen surveillance and response mechanisms in vulnerable communities to prevent further attacks and protect lives and property.
