Tension has gripped Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State following the killing of two youths and the injury of six others by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias on Wednesday evening.
The victims were reportedly ambushed around 7:30 p.m. along the Barkin Ladi–Dorowa Babuje road while returning from a security meeting convened at the Sector Four Command of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP).
National President of the Berom Youths Moulders Association (BYM), Barr. Solomon Dalyop, confirmed the attack, describing it as “senseless and unprovoked.”
He explained that the slain youths, most of whom were community leaders, had attended the meeting at the invitation of security operatives before they were ambushed on their way home.
“Two of our people were killed when they were returning from a security meeting called by the Sector Four Commander,” Dalyop said. “They were ambushed along the Barkin Ladi–Dorowa Babuje road.
That same night, militias also attacked two nearby villages, killing one person around 7 p.m.”
The BYM president alleged that the attacks might be connected to recent claims by the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Plateau State, Ibrahim Babayo, who accused Berom youths of killing a 13-year-old herder and 39 cows.
Dalyop dismissed the allegation as a “smokescreen” to justify further attacks on Berom communities.
“Whenever they plan to attack, they first come up with false allegations,” he said. “Assuming something like that even happened, shouldn’t security agencies investigate? From our understanding, those who attended the security meeting might have leaked information about the route our people would take home.”
According to him, the attackers blocked the road, killed two, injured six others, while two managed to escape.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Barkin Ladi General Hospital morgue.
The police and military authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.