Armed bandits alleged to be Fulani militant attacked two villages in Plateau State, killing three individuals, including a retired police officer, Ayuba Bako.
It was learnt that the attacks occurred in Farin-Lamba, Jos South Local Government Area, and Dahot village, Wereng Community, Riyom Local Government Area, on Friday.
Solomon Mwantiri, President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, confirmed the attacks to newsmen in Jos on Friday.
Mwantiri stated that the deceased in Farin-Lamba were Ayuba Bako, a retired police officer, and James Bulus Kwanga, 27, while Ishaya Davou Bature, 23, was killed in Dahot village.
He stated that the attackers used a Peugeot 406 vehicle and approached on sidewalks, methodically positioning themselves before beginning the assault.
The youth leader also stated that the attack appeared to be a surprise, given there had been previous security alerts warning of potential attacks on various towns.
This was said in a statement made on Friday following the attacks carried out by BYM Secretary General Bature Adazaram.
Adazaram said, “In another turn of tragic events, armed bandits suspected to be Fulani militant groups attacked Farin-Lamba of Jos South LGA and Dahot village of Wereng Community, Riyom LGA, at about 9:00pm or thereabouts last night, 23rd May, 2025, engulfing 2 people in Farin-Lamba and 1 person in Wereng, respectively.
“Amongst the two killed in Farin-Lamba is a retired police officer by the name of Ayuba Bako, while the others are Mr James Bulus Kwanga, 27 years old, and Mr Ishaya Davou Bature, 23 years old.
“According to a local source, some of the attackers came, using a 406 car, while others came on footpaths and strategically positioned themselves during the onslaughts.”
The Berom Youths Moulder Association urged authorities to take urgent action to resolve security concerns or allow the community to defend itself against robbers, who frequently pose as Fulani herders.
The association voiced alarm over frequent attacks during the rainy season, which undermine national security.
The statement expressed worry about the repeated nature of these attacks and encouraged authorities to take on the problem of protecting lives and property in the state.
“Prior to the latest incident, there was an unfounded security alert that villages of the Jol, Rim and Bachi communities should be on red alert, as gunmen had already taken offrom the Rankum (Mahanga) and Fass areas, which the target village was alerted to, just to spring up a surprising attack on the two neighbouring villages that are far off.
“This and many other incidents are the usual characteristics of the attackers whenever raining and Yuletide seasons are at hand, for such have always undermined National Security in all fours the statement added.
The Plateau State Police Command had yet to comment on the attack at the time of filing this report.
