Six killed, three injured in fresh attacks on Plateau communities

Security personnel patrol communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi following
deadly attacks in Plateau State.

JOS, PLATEAU STATE – July 7, 2026

At least six people have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries following a series of attacks on communities in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

The incidents, which occurred between Saturday and the early hours of Sunday, were confirmed by the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), which alleged that the attacks were carried out by armed men it described as Fulani terrorists.

According to the association, the attacks targeted farming communities in Ta-Hoss and Kwi districts of Riyom Local Government Area, as well as Sabon Layi community in Barkin Ladi LGA, raising renewed concerns over persistent insecurity in Plateau's rural communities.

Prime Brief Media could not independently verify the identity of the attackers, and security agencies had not officially attributed responsibility as of the time of filing this report.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the BYM said the first attack occurred around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday when armed men reportedly invaded farmland at Rinyan Village in Ta-Hoss Community, Riyom LGA.

The association said a farmer, identified as Hudung Luka, 40, was killed during the attack, while Ladi Istifanus, 50, sustained critical injuries.

Later that night, gunmen reportedly attacked Sabon Layi community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where three young men identified as Sunday (25), Benjamin James (33), and Godwin Yakubu (27) - were killed.

The violence reportedly continued into the early hours of Sunday when another resident, Peter Bulus, was killed in Kwi Village, Riyom LGA.

BYM also stated that three persons were injured during the separate attacks and are receiving medical attention.

The Berom Youth Moulders-Association described the attacks as part of what it called a sustained campaign of violence against rural communities in Plateau State.

The group further alleged that intelligence available to it indicated that armed groups had established camps in different parts of the state to coordinate attacks on vulnerable communities.

It called on security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering, dismantle criminal hideouts and take proactive measures to prevent further attacks rather than responding after incidents occur.

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The association urged both the Federal Government and Plateau State Government to strengthen security deployments in affected communities to protect lives, farmlands and livelihoods.

As of the time of publication, the spokesman of Operation Safe Haven, Capt. Polycarp Oteh, had not responded to enquiries regarding the incidents.

Similarly, efforts to obtain comments from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, could not be reached.

Without official confirmation from security agencies, casualty figures and the identities of those responsible remain based on the account provided by the Berom Youth Moulders-Association.