Gunmen Deploy Drones In Wareng Camp Killings – Community Leader

A community leader in Wereng Camp, Riyom local government area of Plateau State, Mr Cholom Dung, has alleged that gunmen who killed nine members of the same family in Saturday night’s attack, deployed drones to monitor the community before launching the assault.

Dung told journalists that the residents were still mourning the victims of the attack, which lasted into the early hours of Sunday.

According to him, the attackers carried out aerial surveillance of the community before striking, making it difficult for the residents to escape.

“They used drones to monitor the community before carrying out the attack. They knew where people were and how to operate. That is why we are appealing to the government to strengthen security in our communities,” he said.

The attack claimed the lives of nine members of the same family. They were identified as Celina James, 38; Yohanna James, 21; Janet Yohanna, 18; Jennifer Yohanna, a three-month-old baby; Sele James, 18; Melody James, 16; Reto James, 10; Endurance James, 8; and Peace James, 3.

Dung warned that unless urgent security measures were put in place, more residents might be forced to flee their ancestral homes, as had happened in several communities affected by recurring attacks across Plateau State.

“We do not want this community to become deserted like many others. People want to remain on their ancestral land, but they can only do so if they are safe,” he said.

Also one of the survivors, Mrs. Kachalom Pam, recounted how she fled into the bush with her children when the gunmen invaded the community.

She said although she and her children escaped unhurt, her husband sustained gunshot wounds and is currently receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, BYM, condemned the attack, describing it as another tragic reminder of the recurring violence in Plateau State and other parts of North-Central Nigeria.

BYM in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, said the massacre underscored the urgent need for stronger protection of vulnerable communities and accountability for those responsible.

The group called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts, arrest and prosecute those behind the attacks, and provide humanitarian assistance to victims and displaced persons.

It also urged the international community, including the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, the European Union, the United States and international human rights organisations, to pay closer attention to the worsening security and humanitarian situation in North-Central Nigeria.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain an official response from the spokesman of Plateau State Police Command DSP Alfred Alabo was unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.