Suspected gunmen have killed nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, during a late Saturday night attack on Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area.
The attack reportedly started at about 11:30 p.m. and lasted for over one hour. The village head of the community was also critically injured.
A resident, Precious Tok, said the victims were slaughtered in their home during the coordinated attack, describing it as one of the deadliest assaults witnessed in the area in recent times.
He said the gunmen invaded the communities in large numbers, shooting indiscriminately and forcing terrified residents to flee into nearby bushes.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed that the attack wiped out nine members of one family, including a two-month-old infant, while the village head sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital.
He said security agencies had been alerted and expressed hope that the perpetrators would be apprehended.
The latest attack has thrown the affected communities into mourning, with residents urging the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to strengthen security across Riyom and other vulnerable communities to halt the recurring attacks.
As of the time of filing this report, security personnel had reportedly been deployed to the affected communities, while many residents remained displaced and fearful of further attacks.
