Plateau Attack: Gunmen Kill Three Vigilantes in Barkin Ladi Night Raid

Gunmen have killed at least three members of a local vigilante group in a late-night attack on Sabon-Layi community in Gwol District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred on Saturday night at about 10:00 p.m. while the vigilantes were reportedly on routine patrol, part of a community-led security arrangement established to support overstretched security agencies in the area.

Local sources said the attackers struck under the cover of darkness, opening fire on the patrol team before fleeing the scene. The victims were confirmed dead shortly after the assault.

The attack was confirmed in a telephone interview by the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Mr Rwang Tengwong, who described the slain vigilantes as community defenders working to protect residents from repeated violent attacks in the area.

According to him, the victims were part of a local security structure formed in response to persistent insecurity in Barkin Ladi and neighbouring communities.

“These were men who were out to protect our people because the security agencies appeared to be overwhelmed by the security situation in our local government area,” he said.

He expressed concern over the continued wave of killings in the region, calling for urgent and sustained intervention from security agencies to prevent further loss of lives.

The latest attack adds to a growing list of violent incidents in Plateau State, particularly in Barkin Ladi, an area that has repeatedly witnessed deadly assaults by armed groups in recent years.

Residents say the persistent attacks have left many communities in fear, with local vigilante groups often stepping in to fill security gaps despite limited equipment and exposure to greater risks.

Security authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.