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Five people have been killed after gunmen stormed the Nding Susut community in Fan District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Tuesday Night, sparking renewed fear among residents.
Local sources confirming the incident to Punch News on Wednesday said the victims included members of the same family, while another resident was also killed during the assault.
The assailants reportedly struck around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, opening fire on unsuspecting villagers.
A community member, Weng Christopher, said the attackers stormed the area and shot at residents, describing the incident as part of a troubling pattern of recurring violence. He noted that residents are increasingly living in fear as such attacks become more frequent.
“Five members of the same family were killed on the spot, while another resident of the community was also killed during the attack.
“This is becoming too frequent. People are living in constant fear,” Christopher said.
The Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the killings and called for urgent action, warning that the continued wave of attacks has become overwhelming and requires stronger security intervention.
He added that the gunmen attempted a similar assault on the nearby Rim community in Riyom Local Government Area on the same night but were repelled by local vigilantes and operatives of Operation Rainbow.
The Plateau State Police Command also confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, saying that unidentified gunmen carried out the attack late on May 5, targeting residents who were gathered outside their homes.
“The Plateau State Police 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 05/5/26,” according to the statement signed by the state police spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo.
Police said five people, four women and a nine-year-old boy, lost their lives, while three others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at a hospital. The bodies of the deceased have been deposited in a morgue.
According to the police, officers led by the Divisional Police Officer in Barkin Ladi were immediately deployed to the scene, and the area has since been secured, with calm gradually returning.
“The assailants opened fire on residents who were seated in front of their houses, resulting in the tragic loss of five lives, four females and one 9-year-old boy.
“Three other victims, all females, sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at General Hospital, while the corpses of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue.
“Upon receipt of the report, a team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer, Barkin Ladi, was immediately mobilised to the scene. The area has since been secured, and normalcy is gradually being restored,” the statement read.
Commissioner of Police Bassey Ewah further condemned the killings and extended condolences to the affected families, describing the attack as senseless.
He said additional tactical units, including mobile police personnel and specialised teams, have been deployed to the area to strengthen patrols, intelligence gathering, and rapid response efforts.
The police added that investigations are ongoing in collaboration with other security agencies and community leaders, with efforts intensified to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Residents have been urged to remain calm and cooperate with authorities by providing useful information, as concerns grow over safety in the area.
