Six residents of Marit and Gashish communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State were confirmed dead following a night raid by unidentified gunmen on Monday. The attackers reportedly invaded the villages while people were asleep, leaving multiple casualties and a deepening sense of fear across the region.
Local sources told the media that the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, catching residents completely off guard. Victims who sustained injuries were rushed to nearby health facilities, with many currently receiving treatment at Barkin Ladi General Hospital.
In a statement released by his press secretary, Mercy Yop Chuwang, the Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi, Hon. Stephen Pwajok Gyang, condemned the attacks and confirmed that the six victims were buried in a mass grave the same day. During his visit to the hospital, Pwajok expressed sadness over the continued bloodshed and urged community members to unite in the face of escalating insecurity.
He acknowledged the efforts of local vigilantes and security operatives but called for greater vigilance and coordination to prevent further attacks. Stressing the urgency of breaking the cycle of violence, he appealed to residents, traditional leaders, and security forces to commit more seriously to restoring peace. He also urged healthcare workers to prioritize the treatment of survivors, emphasizing the need for immediate medical intervention.
Despite the severity of the attack, both Operation Safe Haven—a military task force deployed to Plateau—and the state police command had yet to issue an official response at the time of filing this report.
This assault follows closely on the heels of deadly raids on villages in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas between March and April 2025, during which over 100 people, including women and children, were killed. Those attacks were further marred by reports of livestock poisoning and cattle shootings across Bassa, Riyom, and Mangu.
The pattern of reprisal killings, community raids, and apparent breakdowns in intelligence coordination continues to plague Plateau State. As the humanitarian toll rises and security assurances remain elusive, residents live in an atmosphere thick with fear and uncertainty, awaiting meaningful federal action to halt the bloodshed.
