Nine family members, two-month-old baby feared killed in fresh Plateau attack
At least nine members of a single family, including a two-month-old infant, were reportedly killed in a late-night attack by suspected gunmen on Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday.
According to residents, the attack began at about 11:30 p.m. and lasted for more than an hour.
The village head of the community was also critically injured.
A resident, Precious Tok, who confirmed the attack, told The PUNCH in Jos on Sunday that the attackers stormed the communities in large numbers and opened fire indiscriminately.
“The gunmen came in large numbers, shooting everywhere. We could hear screams from the houses. They entered homes and slaughtered people. It was one of the deadliest attacks we have seen here in recent times.
“The victims in one house were nine from the same family. Even a two-month-old baby was not spared. We ran into the bush for safety and only returned this morning to see the bodies,” Tok said.
Another resident, who requested anonymity, described the scene as “horrific” and lamented the recurring insecurity in the area.
We buried our children with our own hands again. This is too much. Government should come and help us. Every time they attack at night and by morning people are dead. We are tired of running,” the resident said.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the attack, saying it was carried out under the cover of darkness.
“The assailants struck when everyone was asleep and unleashed violence on helpless residents. Nine members of one family, including a two-month-old infant, were wiped out, while the village head sustained life-threatening injuries and has been rushed to hospital for treatment,” Tengwong said.
He added that security agencies had been alerted and expressed hope that “the perpetrators will be apprehended and brought to justice.”
The attack has thrown the affected communities into mourning, with residents calling on the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to strengthen security in Riyom and other vulnerable communities to halt the recurring violence.
As of the time of filing this report, security personnel had been deployed to Kum and Wereng-Camp, while many residents remained displaced and fearful of further attacks.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesman, Alabo Alfred, was unreachable at the time of filing this report.