Anger and fear have gripped Nding Susut community in Fan District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State after gunmen stormed the area late Tuesday night, killing six people, including five members of the same family.
The attack, which occurred around 9 p.m., has heightened concerns over recurring violence in parts of the state.
Residents, including Weng Christopher, who confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro in Jos on Wednesday, said the assailants opened fire on unsuspecting villagers.
“Five members of the same family were killed on the spot, while another resident was also shot dead during the attack,” he said, lamenting that such incidents had become frequent.
“This is becoming too frequent. People are living in constant fear,” Christopher added.
The Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the killings and called for urgent intervention by security agencies.
“The spate of attacks is one too many,” Tengwong said, urging authorities to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.
He added that the gunmen attempted a similar attack on Rim community in neighbouring Riyom Local Government Area the same night but were repelled by local vigilantes and operatives of Operation Rainbow, the state-owned security outfit.
The latest incident has left residents anxious, with many calling on both the state and federal governments to take decisive action to halt the violence.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Alfred Alabo.
“The command regrets to confirm a deadly attack by yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Nding Susut community, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, late in the night of May 5, 2026,” the statement read.
According to the police, the gunmen opened fire on residents who were seated outside their homes, resulting in the death of five persons—four women and a nine-year-old boy—while three others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at a general hospital. The corpses have been deposited at the morgue.
The police said officers led by the Divisional Police Officer in Barkin Ladi were immediately deployed to the scene, adding that the area has been secured and normalcy is gradually returning.
The Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, condemned the attack and extended condolences to the affected families and the community.
To prevent further violence, the CP said additional tactical teams, including mobile police units and specialised operatives, had been deployed for patrols, intelligence gathering and rapid response.
The command added that investigations were ongoing in collaboration with other security agencies and community leaders to apprehend the perpetrators.
Residents were urged to remain calm and provide credible information to aid ongoing investigations.
The incident adds to growing concerns over persistent attacks in Plateau communities, with repeated calls for stronger security presence and proactive measures to curb the killings.
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