10 killed in fresh attacks on two Plateau communities

At least 10 people were killed on Sunday night after armed bandits carried out coordinated attacks on Jol community and Dorowa Babuje in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Local sources confirmed that the assaults occurred between 8:00pm and 9:00pm, with nine persons killed in Dorowa Babuje (Rob District) and one person killed in Jol.

The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYMA), Barrister Solomon Dalyop, disclosed this during a telephone interview with a Channels Television correspondent in Jos.

Dalyop said the attackers stormed Jol on motorcycles from the Manga axis, despite earlier warnings to security agencies about suspected suspicious movements in the area.

Personnel of Operation Rainbow, Plateau State’s local security outfit, were already on the ground and reportedly succeeded in pushing back the attackers, a move that helped reduce the number of casualties.

In Dorowa Babuje, the assailants were said to have emerged from the Jong-Wereh area, where they were believed to have been camping for some time.

Dalyop noted that the military responded quickly after being alerted, saying the prompt action helped prevent a higher death toll.

He said, “If not for the quick intervention of the military in Dorowa, the casualty figure would have been much higher. We commend them for their swift response.”

Efforts to get an official response from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as Police Public Relations Officer Alfred Alabo did not answer calls as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the attacks.

The latest killings have deepened fear in Riyom, a locality that has witnessed repeated violent incidents in recent months.

Farming communities in the area have faced night raids, ambushes and displacement.

Residents of Jol and Dorowa Babuje are mourning the victims and appealing for stronger security presence to prevent further attacks.

Meanwhile, youth and community leaders have urged federal and state authorities to implement long-term security and peacebuilding strategies for Riyom and neighbouring communities.