By Andrew Haruna | Jos
RIYOM, PLATEAU — Grief and panic have gripped communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State after a wave of coordinated attacks by suspected gunmen left at least three people dead and several others injured.
According to local reports, two Christian worshippers were ambushed and shot dead on Sunday in Gwon village shortly after attending a church service. The victims, who were on an evangelism outreach, were caught unaware by the attackers who opened fire without warning.
Confirming the tragic incident, Solomon Dalyop, National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, told The Bureau Newspaper that the attackers stormed the area, firing sporadically until security forces arrived.
“They shot two people dead in cold blood. The situation could have been worse, but the Military Taskforce and local vigilantes eventually repelled them,” Dalyop said.
He expressed outrage over the unrelenting violence in Riyom and criticized the inadequate security presence, which he believes gives attackers the freedom to operate.
“While we were still burying the victims in Gwon village, another man was killed between Fan and Shonong. Then not long after, another round of gunfire erupted in Rim community,” Dalyop added.
He also accused the attackers—described as Fulani militia and their hired mercenaries—of invading the Jol community, where they allegedly destroyed crops and farmlands. Residents say the gunmen had earlier issued threats, vowing to return, which they reportedly did with heavy arms and open fire.
A day earlier, another attack was reported near Hawan Kibo along the Jos–Abuja highway, where one person was shot and critically injured.
Dalyop described the violence as systematic and relentless: “The people of Riyom are under siege. These attacks are deliberate and well-coordinated. The invaders come in large numbers, over a hundred of them, armed and organized.”
At the time of filing this report, the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, could not be reached as his mobile line was switched off. However, sources within the Command confirmed that reinforcements had been sent to the troubled areas to restore peace.
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