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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
The cycle of bloodletting continued in Plateau State at the weekend as suspected gunmen launched separate attacks on communities in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas, killing five people, including a soldier and a 15-year-old boy, while two others sustained gunshot injuries, one of them critically.
The killings, which occurred on Sunday, heightened fears among residents of the affected communities, particularly as one of the attacks took place in Barkin Ladi, where a curfew was already in force to contain recurring violence.
The attacks came as troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) intensified operations against criminal elements across the state, killing two suspected terrorists, dismantling several camps, arresting a suspected gunrunner and recovering arms, ammunition and other logistics in Mangu, Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas.
In another operation in Jos North Local Government Area, troops tracking a stolen mobile phone raided a hotel, arrested five suspects and recovered 26 mobile phones and other items suspected to be linked to criminal activities.
Confirming the attacks on Berom communities, the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) said suspected bandits invaded Gwol-Hoss village in Riyom Local Government Area at about 5 p.m. on Sunday and killed a 65-year-old resident, Danladi Badung.
The association disclosed that another attack on Bel community in Sho District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area claimed four lives, including those of three civilians and a soldier whose identity had yet to be established.
The civilian victims were identified as Emmanuel Pam Dachung, 15; Joseph Gyang, 28; and Emmanuel Yohanna, 32.
Two other residents, Bala Kefas Dachung, 26, and Vivian Christopher, 26, sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.
BYM National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the incidents in a statement, said Christopher was in critical condition at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), where surgeons reportedly removed six bullets from her body during an operation.
Tengwong expressed concern over the renewed attacks, particularly the killing of a minor and a soldier, questioning the effectiveness of existing security arrangements and the curfew imposed on Barkin Ladi.
“The killing of a minor and a soldier, alongside the injuries sustained by other victims, highlights the gravity of the security situation and raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the existing curfew in Barkin Ladi and the capacity of security agencies to protect vulnerable communities,” he said.
The association called on the Plateau State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military to immediately investigate the attacks, identify those responsible and ensure their arrest and prosecution.
It also demanded increased security deployments across vulnerable communities, a review of intelligence-gathering and response mechanisms, and the establishment of effective early-warning systems to prevent further attacks.
BYM further urged the authorities to provide assistance to the injured survivors and families of those killed, insisting that the recurring violence required more decisive action from security agencies.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Enduring Peace recorded successes in separate operations across Mangu, Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas, arresting a suspected gunrunner, killing two suspected terrorists and dismantling several camps allegedly used by armed groups.
The Media Information Officer of the operation, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, said the coordinated, intelligence-driven operations were part of sustained military efforts to deny criminal elements safe havens and dismantle networks supporting insecurity in the state.
According to him, troops of a special tactical team, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a sting operation at Gindiri Market in Mangu Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of a suspected gunrunner identified as Adamu Adamu, also known as Jauro.
Oteh said an AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered from the suspect, who was taken into custody for further investigation.
He disclosed that troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade also launched coordinated offensive operations on November 8, 2026, in Dajin Madam Forest, spanning Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas, where several terrorist camps were cleared and their support structures destroyed.
“During the operations, several terrorist camps were cleared and their life-support structures destroyed, significantly degrading their capacity to sustain criminal activities and use the forest as a haven for attacks.
“The advancing troops subsequently made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray, with bloodstains observed along their withdrawal routes indicating possible casualties,” he said.
The military spokesman added that further searches of the camps led to the recovery of 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, PKT links, four mobile phones, two radios, four motorcycles, two drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), assorted camouflage uniforms and other items.
He said troops subsequently encountered another group of suspected terrorists near Kukawa village, where two of them were killed and additional motorcycles recovered.
In a separate operation in Jos North Local Government Area, Oteh said troops arrested five suspected criminals during a raid on Prime House Hotel along Baring Road, following intelligence obtained while tracking a stolen mobile phone.
He explained that the phone was snatched on November 6, 2026, at about 9 p.m. and subsequently tracked to the hotel, prompting troops to storm the premises.
During the raid, five suspects were arrested, while the stolen phone was recovered alongside 25 other mobile phones, bringing the total number of recovered phones to 26.
Other items recovered included 27 phone pouches, three MP devices, two earpods, an HP laptop, a knife and four power banks.
Oteh said a vehicle allegedly linked to the suspects was also taken to the military’s Sector 1 Headquarters for further examination, while the suspects and recovered items remained in military custody pending further investigation.
He maintained that the successes recorded in the operations demonstrated the military’s determination to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt their supply chains and restore peace and public confidence across Plateau State..
