The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the killing of five people following an attack on Gwan-Ajang village in Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
According to the command, the incident occurred on Sunday night while residents had gathered for a social event in the community.
Speaking on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, said officers attached to the Gindiri Division received a distress call at about 9:22 p.m. and were immediately dispatched to the area to restore order.
“We got a call of a shooting that happened around Gwan-Ajang village, and we mobilised men to stabilise 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.
Alabo disclosed that security personnel arrived at the scene and found several victims.
“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.
He noted that reports on the exact location of the incident sometimes vary because the community is situated around the boundary between Barkin Ladi and Mangu local government areas.
“Depending on where people are telling the story from, some say Barkin Ladi, others say Mangu,” he added.
The police spokesperson further revealed that the Commissioner of Police had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations to coordinate security efforts in the area.
He said security agencies have intensified operations in collaboration with other forces to prevent further violence and track down those behind the attack.
“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,” he added.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association, Rwang Tengwong, disputed the casualty figure released by the police, claiming that the number of deaths was higher.
“At least seven persons have been reportedly killed in another armed invasion by armed Fulani gangs at about 9:30 p.m. in Gwan-Ajang village,” Tengwong alleged.
He also claimed that more than 10 other residents sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals.
Meanwhile, some community sources alleged that the attack occurred after a period of relative peace in parts of Plateau State, claiming that violent incidents had reduced before resurging following the conclusion of political party primaries ahead of the next general elections. The claim has not been independently verified by security authorities.
Police said investigations into the attack are ongoing, while security patrols and surveillance operations have been strengthened across the area as efforts continue to identify and arrest those responsible.