Gunmen Kill 9 Family Members, 2 Month-old Baby In Plateau

Gunmen have killed nine members of a family, including a two-month-old baby in Kum and Wereng-Camp communities of Riyom local government area of Plateau State.

The attack, according to residents, occured at about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and lasted for more than one hour. The village head of the community was critically injured by the attackers.

A resident, Precious Tok, told our correspondent that the victims were killed in their home during the coordinated assault, describing the incident as one of the deadliest 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 for safety.

Meanwhile, the national publicity secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the attack, said the assailants struck under the cover of darkness and unleashed violence on the helpless residents.

According to him, the attack affected nine members of one family, including a two-month-old infant, while the village head sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment.

He added that security agencies had been alerted and expressed the hope that the perpetrators would be apprehended and brought to justice.

The latest attack has thrown the affected communities into mourning, with residents urging the federal and Plateau State governments to strengthen security across Riyom and other vulnerable communities to halt the recurring attacks.

LEADERSHIP gathered that security personnel were deployed to the  communities, while many residents remained displaced and fearful of further attacks.