No fewer than nine members of a single family, including a two-month-old infant, were killed in a late-night attack by suspected terrorists on Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday.
According to neighbours, the assault began about 11:30 p.m. and lasted for almost an hour. During the raid, the village’s head was gravely injured.
Precious Tok, a neighbourhood resident who corroborated the incident, said on Sunday that the assailants entered the communities in huge numbers and started fires without regard for anyone who was there.
“The gunmen came in large numbers, shooting everywhere. We could hear screams from the houses. They entered homes and slaughtered people. It was one of the deadliest attacks we have seen here in recent times,” Tok said.
“The victims in one house were nine from the same family. Even a two-month-old baby was not spared. We ran into the bush for safety and only returned this morning to see the bodies.”
Another resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the scene as “horrific” and lamented the recurring insecurity in the area.
“We buried our children with our hands again. This is too much. The government should come and help us. Every time they attack at night, and by morning, people are dead. We are tired of running,” the resident said.
Rwang Tengwong, National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, acknowledged the incident and stated that it occurred under cover of darkness.
“The assailants struck when everyone was asleep and unleashed violence on helpless residents. Nine members of one family, including a two-month-old infant, were wiped out, while the village head sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to the hospital for treatment,” Tengwong said.
He also stated that security organisations had been notified and expressed optimism that “the perpetrators will be apprehended and brought to justice”.
The incident has thrown the affected towns into mourning, with people urging both the federal and Plateau State governments to tighten security in Riyom and other vulnerable areas in order to put an end to the reoccurring bloodshed.
As at the time of reporting this article, security troops had been sent to Kum and Wereng-Camp, but many inhabitants remained frightened and scared of more attacks.
Attempts to acquire formal confirmation from the Plateau State Police Command were fruitless since the command’s spokesman, Alabo Alfred, was unavailable at the time of reporting this report.
