No fewer than nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old infant, were reportedly killed when suspected Fulani militias attacked Kum community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State late on Saturday.
The attack, which residents said began around 11:30 p.m. and lasted for more than an hour, also left the village head critically injured, triggering fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in the area.
Residents said the gunmen invaded the community in large numbers, firing indiscriminately before breaking into homes and attacking occupants.
A resident, Precious Tok, told The PUNCH on Sunday that the assailants unleashed terror on the community, describing the incident as one of the deadliest attacks witnessed in recent times.
“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.
He added that nine members of a single family were killed in one house, including a two-month-old baby.
“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,” he said.
Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the aftermath of the attack as heartbreaking and appealed to the government to end the recurring violence in the area.
“We buried our children with our own hands again. This is too much. 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 lamented.
Confirming the attack in a statement on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the Berom Youths Moulders Association (BYM), Riyom District, Comrade Vincent Caleb Alamba, said the assailants struck under the cover of darkness, leaving multiple casualties and widespread devastation.
The latest incident adds to the growing wave of deadly attacks that have continued to plague communities in Plateau State, despite repeated calls for stronger security measures to protect residents.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the attack.
