Eight Dead, 10 Wounded as Gunmen Attack Birthday Celebration in Plateau

Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred

Eight Dead, 10 Wounded as Gunmen Attack Birthday Celebration in Plateau

Jos, Plateau State – At least eight people have been reportedly killed and 10 others injured following a brazen attack by gunmen on Gwon-Ajang village in the Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State . The assailants, described by survivors as numbering over 100 and heavily armed, stormed the community at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026, and opened fire on villagers who had gathered for a birthday celebration . The attack lasted over two hours, with residents making frantic calls to security agencies that reportedly did not respond to their distress pleas.

Joseph Azi, a resident of the community who spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted the horrifying ordeal. “They were more than 100 and heavily armed. The people had already retired to their beds when the bandits invaded the village. Immediately they entered the village, they started shooting while shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ and speaking the Fulani language all through,” Azi said. “They operated for over two hours while the people made frantic calls to security agencies but they did not come to their rescue. By the time the terrorists left, eight people were killed while over 15 others sustained injuries.”

Bishop Iliya, a youth from the community, said the victims had gathered to celebrate the birthday of one of their members when the attackers struck. “The people were gathered for a birthday celebration when the gunmen arrived and started shooting at everything in sight. It is a painful and unfortunate situation for our community,” he lamented. The gunmen reportedly shot at people on sight, leaving several dead while others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The injured victims were evacuated to nearby health facilities, while security personnel were reportedly deployed to the area following the incident.

READ ALSO:

Confirming the incident, the Plateau State Police Command offered a slightly different account of the casualty figures. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) , SP Alfred Alabo, told journalists that officers of the Gindiri Division received a distress call at about 9:22 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026, and immediately mobilized to the scene. Alabo explained that the attack occurred while residents were gathered for a social event. “We got a call of a shooting that happened around Gwan-Ajang village, and we mobilized men to stabilize the situation. From what we gathered, some members of the community were having an occasion or a party when they suddenly heard sporadic shooting,” he said. When security operatives arrived at the scene, they met a grim sight. “When our men got there, they met some persons in pools of their blood. As I speak to you, five of them were confirmed dead,” Alabo stated. The police spokesperson noted that the community lies close to the boundary between Barkin Ladi and Mangu local government areas, leading to varying accounts of the exact location of the attack.

Alabo confirmed that the Commissioner of Police had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations to coordinate efforts aimed at tracking down those responsible. He added that security personnel were working closely with Operation Enduring Peace and other security formations deployed to the area. “Our men are there, and we are working with Operation Enduring Peace, who have also made deployments. Calm has been restored, and we are looking forward to making some arrests because we have good intel,” Alabo said.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM-A) , Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attack in a statement on Monday and alleged that the attack was carried out by armed terrorists. Tengwong said at least eight persons were killed, while more than 10 others sustained severe injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment. The group expressed concern over the renewed violence in the area and called on security agencies to take decisive action to halt the attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a related development that has further heightened security concerns across Plateau State, gunmen killed the traditional ruler of Timshat in Langtang South Local Government Area, Godwin Vonga, along the Timshat–Mabudi Road on Sunday. Vonga, who held the title of Magaji of Timshat and was a former councillor representing Nasarawa Ward in Langtang South, was reportedly attacked while returning home after dropping his children off at school in neighboring Mabudi town. Nanbol Pirfa, a resident of the community, said the monarch’s death had thrown Timshat and neighboring communities into mourning. He described the deceased as a respected leader and public servant, adding that the motive behind the killing remained unclear.

Chairman of Langtang South Local Government Area , Hon. Nanfa Alhassan Nbin, condemned the incident in a statement signed by his spokesman, Butko Bako Iliya, describing it as barbaric, unfortunate, and unacceptable. The chairman vowed that perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice, warning criminal elements operating within the local government to desist from such acts or face the full weight of the law. He also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could assist ongoing investigations.

As of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, security personnel remained deployed in Gwon-Ajang village and surrounding areas, with calm reportedly restored. However, residents continue to live in fear of further attacks, and community leaders are calling for more proactive measures from security agencies to protect vulnerable rural communities across Plateau State. Barkin Ladi and adjoining local government areas have been under repeated attacks in recent times, underscoring the deteriorating security situation in the North-Central region.