A new wave of violence in Plateau State and Kwara State has left at least eleven people dead, with several others injured, intensifying concerns over insecurity across parts of the country.
In Plateau State, residents of Shonun community in Riyom Local Government Area and Hurum in Gashish District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area were thrown into mourning following coordinated night attacks.
The Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Tengong Rwang, said the assaults occurred on the same night, with gunmen reportedly arriving on foot and armed with sophisticated weapons.
According to him, four persons were killed in Hurum, while five others sustained injuries. In Shonun, two people were confirmed dead, with three others hospitalised.
Rwang alleged that prior warnings had been issued to security agencies over the influx of unknown herders into Shonun, but no action was taken.
“The people of Shonun had earlier informed security operatives about strange movements into the community, but nothing seemed to have been done,” he said.
He added that residents had begun evacuating women and children days before the attack due to fears of impending violence, following reports of unfamiliar افراد being transported into the area.
Describing the communities as long-suffering, Rwang said repeated attacks have forced many residents to abandon their homes.
“These are communities that have suffered repeated attacks. Most people have abandoned their homes for fear of being killed,” he added.
Local vigilantes were said to have attempted to repel the attackers but were overwhelmed due to the superior firepower of the assailants.
Rwang also decried what he termed the ineffectiveness of security personnel in the area, calling for urgent government intervention.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, said he had yet to receive a formal briefing but promised an update after consulting officers in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, in Kwara State, suspected terrorists reportedly killed five people in Kemanji, a border community in Kaiama Local Government Area.
Residents said the attackers stormed the area around 3:00 a.m., engaging security operatives and local vigilantes in a fierce gun battle that lasted until about 5:00 a.m.
As gunfire intensified, villagers fled into nearby bushes and neighbouring communities in search of safety.
“Bandits invaded Kemanji this morning around 3:00 a.m. Our security agents, the army, and local vigilantes engaged them in an intense gun battle that lasted till 5 a.m.
“They killed a few of our soldiers. We still can’t say how extremely disastrous the attack was until daybreak. Till then, pray for the departed soldiers,” one resident said.
Another resident confirmed casualties among security personnel, stating, “There was a heavy gunshot this morning in Kemanji. Four gallant soldiers were killed, and one vigilante was hit by a bullet.”
As of press time, authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the Kwara incident, and it remained unclear whether any residents were abducted.
The attack added to a growing list of violent incidents in Kaiama, which has witnessed repeated assaults in recent months, including the killing of forest guards and a deadly February attack that claimed dozens of lives.
Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq had previously described earlier killings in the area as a “pure massacre,” while Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the deployment of troops to strengthen security.
Despite these interventions, the latest incidents in both Plateau and Kwara states highlight ongoing security challenges, particularly in rural communities, and underscore growing calls for more decisive action by authorities.
