Mass Burial Turns Deadly in Plateau as Gunmen Attack Villagers

Mass Burial Turns Deadly in Plateau as Gunmen Attack Villagers

Fresh violence has erupted in Plateau State after gunmen attacked mourners during a mass burial in Nding Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, leaving many people feared dead and several others injured.

The mourners were said to be burying victims of an earlier overnight attack on the community when the assailants stormed the area and opened fire indiscriminately.

According to community sources, the incident occurred on Wednesday as villagers gathered to conduct funeral rites for seven persons allegedly killed in a previous attack on the area.

Residents disclosed that the gunmen had reportedly been monitoring activities from surrounding hills before descending on the burial ground and attacking mourners who were digging graves for the victims.

The latest incident has heightened fears over worsening insecurity in Plateau State, especially in communities around Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas that have witnessed repeated deadly attacks in recent months.

An eyewitness and journalist, Masara Kim, who spoke on the incident, described the situation as chaotic and terrifying, saying multiple communities came under simultaneous attacks.

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“There is an ongoing massive attack on communities south of Jos. More than five communities are under simultaneous assault. While we were at the burial site, the attackers emerged from the hills and began shooting,” he said.

Kim disclosed that mourners hurriedly buried the bodies and fled for safety as the attackers advanced into nearby settlements.

He added that local vigilantes and community defenders armed with hunting rifles and locally made weapons were overwhelmed by the attackers.

According to him, a man was shot dead before his eyes during the attack, while many residents escaped into nearby bushes and neighbouring communities to avoid being killed.

The exact casualty figure remains unclear as of the time of filing this report due to the confusion and ongoing rescue efforts in the affected communities.

Sources in the area said the latest attack followed an earlier Tuesday night assault on Nding Susut community in Fan District, where gunmen reportedly killed six persons, including five members of the same family.

The Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attack and described the situation as “terrible,” noting that rescue operations were ongoing to evacuate trapped residents and assist injured victims.

Security personnel were reportedly deployed to the affected communities after the attack, although residents alleged that the assailants operated for several hours before intervention arrived.

The renewed Plateau killings have again sparked concerns over the persistent violence in the North-Central region, with community leaders urging the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to protect rural communities from repeated attacks.

Over the years, Plateau State has remained one of Nigeria’s major conflict flashpoints, with recurring violence linked to armed attacks, communal clashes and farmer-herder tensions.

Residents have continued to call for stronger military presence and improved intelligence gathering to prevent further bloodshed across vulnerable communities.

Mass Burial Turns Deadly in Plateau as Gunmen Attack Villagers