No fewer than eight people, including women, were reportedly killed on Wednesday night in an attack on Wereng Camp community in Riyom LGA of Plateau State.
The assault, which residents described as unprovoked, came just hours after more than 100 cattle and a herder were allegedly killed in separate incidents in Gero and Darwat communities in Jos South and Riyom LGAs.
According to locals, the attackers stormed Wereng Camp around 7pm, firing sporadically while many of the people were asleep. One person was injured and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital, while over 20 houses were razed and food items looted.
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Solomon Bulus, a resident, described the attack as “devastating,” saying, “The gunmen were many. Some of us were sleeping, others were outside when they attacked.”
Dalyop Solomon, President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), confirmed the attack and accused suspected Fulani militias of being responsible.
He claimed over 200 armed men from nearby settlements attacked the village, killing eight people and burning all homes in two hours of uninterrupted gunfire.
Responding to the allegations, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Plateau State, denied any involvement.
“They killed over 100 of our cattle and attacked our members, yet now they claim to be victims,” he said.
In response to rising tensions, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Abdulsalam Oyinlola, convened a peace meeting with stakeholders from Riyom and Jos South.
General Oyinlola decried the destruction of farms and cattle rustling, warning that such actions escalate the conflict.
He called for stronger community-based conflict resolution mechanisms and urged traditional and religious leaders to lead dialogue efforts.
Senate urges Tinubu to sign Forest Security Bill to address insecurity, kidnapping
Meanwhile, the Senate has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently sign the Nigerian Forest Security Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025, into law.
The bill, which was recently passed by the National Assembly, is currently awaiting presidential assent. Lawmakers believe it would significantly enhance efforts to tackle insecurity, especially in rural and forested areas prone to criminal activities.
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Additionally, the Senate called on the Federal Government to direct all security agencies to deploy their resources for the immediate rescue of His Royal Highness, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke, who was abducted from his palace in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State by armed assailants.
The Senate also advocated for a security intervention in vulnerable regions, noting that the Forest Security Bill could be amended to accommodate President Tinubu’s proposed Forest Guard initiative aimed at combating insecurity in forest zones.