Mohamed Garba
In an incident marking the mounting security concerns, armed assailants launched an attack in Marit village and the Gashish district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, on May 4, 2025, leaving six people dead and several others wounded.The violence erupted at approximately 8:11 p.m. in Kakuruk village, a scene that rapidly descended into chaos.
Among the deceased were Mr. Nyam Davou, aged 44; Mrs. Kande Thoma, aged 40; and her six-month-old infant. In addition, four people, including a seven-year-old girl and three women, sustained injuries during the assault.Community leaders and members have been vocal in their condemnation of the incident.
Solomon Dalyop, the National President of the Berom Youths Moulders Association, confirmed the grim details to the media in Jos. “The ongoing dastardly acts of the bandits and the terrorism being meted out are not surprising but are deeply disturbing,” Dalyop remarked. He pointed out that, despite repeated warnings about the presence of suspected bandits—in some cases identified as Fulani militants—the inadequacy of security manpower has left vulnerable communities exposed to such brutal attacks.
In a strongly worded statement, the Secretary General of the Berom Youths Moulders Association, Bature Adazaram, attributed the attack to militant groups suspected of targeting the region’s lands and instilling fear among residents.
The group has called for an immediate kinetic response from security agencies, urging entities such as Operation Safe Haven, the Nigerian Police Force, and the Department of State Security Services to intensify their operations. “It is imperative that the perpetrators of the Gashish attacks be discreetly tracked down, arrested, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the statement emphasized.
The sentiment of urgency was echoed by Stephen Pwajok Gyang, the Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council. During a visit to the Barkin Ladi General Hospital, where survivors were receiving care, he decried the resurgence of violence in the region. “This attack is a resurgence of violence that undermines our ongoing efforts to stabilize our community,” he said. He further emphasized the need for vigilant and proactive security measures, appealing to all stakeholders—security agencies, community leaders, and residents—to work collectively to restore peace and safeguard lives.
At the burial service for three of the victims in Kakuruk, community representatives, including the local Council Secretary, Hon. Joshua Chong, and Da Prof. Nuhu Gwom Gwok, lamented the bloodshed and called for decisive action against those responsible.
The tragedy has ignited widespread public outrage and raised serious questions about the current state of security in Plateau State. With intelligence reports indicating the possible arrival of additional armed groups, there is increasing fear that, without immediate and substantial intervention, the cycle of violence could spiral into a larger humanitarian crisis.
As local residents mourn the loss of innocent lives, the call to remedy the glaring security deficiencies is growing louder. The community now awaits robust and decisive action from the nation’s security apparatus to prevent any further bloodshed and restore stability in this crisis-prone region.
