Defense and Security
UPDATED: Fears as 2-Month-Old Baby, 8 Other Family Members Killed in Plateau Night Attack
At least nine people from the same family, including a two-month-old infant, were killed in a fresh attack by suspected gunmen in Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State late Saturday night.
Residents said the assault started around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and lasted for more than an hour. The village head of the community was also critically injured after he was reportedly attacked by the assailants.
A resident, Precious Tok, said that the victims were slaughtered in their home during the coordinated assault, describing the incident as one of the deadliest attacks witnessed in the area in recent times.
He said the gunmen invaded the communities in large numbers, shooting indiscriminately and forcing terrified residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the attack, said the assailants struck under the cover of darkness and unleashed violence on helpless residents.
According to him, the attack wiped out nine members of one family, including a two-month-old infant, while the village head sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
He added that security agencies had been alerted and expressed hope that the perpetrators would be apprehended and brought to justice.
Vanguard report that the latest attack has thrown the affected communities into mourning, with residents urging the Federal and Plateau State governments to strengthen security across Riyom and other vulnerable communities to halt the recurring attacks.
As of the time of filing this report, security personnel had reportedly been deployed to the affected communities, while many residents remained displaced and fearful of further attacks.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful.