Weekend of horror in Plateau

• Soldier, 4 others killed in multiple attacks

• Troops kill 2 terrorists, nab 5 suspects, recover 26 mobile phones

_________________________________________________________________________

From Jude Owuamanam, Jos

It was a bloody weekend in Plateau State, where five people were killed in multiple attacks in the Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas. Among the deceased was a security operative.

The incident happened just as troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) dismantled terrorist camps in Plateau State, arresting a suspected gunrunner, neutralising two terrorists and recovering arms, ammunition and critical logistics in Mangu, Kanam and Wase local government areas.

At the same time, while tracking a stolen phone, troops raided a hotel in Jos, arresting five suspected criminals and recovering 26 mobile phones and other items.

In the multiple attacks on Berom communities, the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) confirmed that the incident took place on Sunday, when bandits attacked Gwol-Hoss village in Riyom LGA at about 5 p.m., killing 65-year-old Danladi Badung.

BYM said that an hour before, at about 7 p.m., four other people, including a security personnel, were killed at Bel in Sho District, Barkin Ladi LGA. The victims were identified as Emmanuel Pam Dachung, 15; Joseph Gyang, 28; Emmanuel Yohanna, 32; and the soldier, whose identity is yet to be established.

In a statement signed by BYM National Publicity Secretary Rwang Tengwong, two other victims, Bala Kefas Dachung, 26, and Vivian Christopher, 26, sustained injuries.

He said that Vivian is in critical condition at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), where surgeons recovered six bullets during an operation.

Tengwong said: “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.”

BYM therefore called on the Plateau State Government, the police, the DSS and the military to immediately investigate both attacks, apprehend the perpetrators and ensure their prosecution, strengthen security presence across vulnerable communities in Plateau State, and review security deployments and address intelligence and response gaps.

The association also asked the authorities to ensure justice for the victims, provide support for bereaved families and injured survivors, and establish effective early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms to prevent further attacks.

In a related development, the Media Officer of OPEP, Capt. Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, confirmed the arrest of a suspected gunrunner, the neutralising of two terrorists, the dismantling of multiple terrorist camps and the recovery of arms, ammunition and critical logistics across Mangu, Kanam and Wase local government areas.

Oteh said that the success of the coordinated, intelligence-driven operations reinforced the Nigerian Army’s resolve to dismantle the networks that sustain insecurity, deny criminal elements safe havens and restore lasting peace and public confidence across the state.

According to the spokesman, troops from a special tactical team, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a sting operation at Gindiri Market in Mangu LGA, leading to the arrest of one Adamu Adamu, aka Jauro, a suspected gunrunner terrorising the area.

He said that the suspect was apprehended with one AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and is currently in custody alongside the recovered items for further investigation.

According to him: “Similarly, on 8 November 2026, troops of 33 Artillery Brigade launched coordinated offensive operations at Dajin Madam Forest, spanning Kanam and Wase LGAs.

“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.

“Further exploitation led to the recovery of 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, PKT links, four mobile phones, two radios, four motorcycles, two drums of PMS, assorted camouflage uniforms and other sundry items. In a subsequent encounter close to Kukawa Village, troops neutralised two terrorists and recovered additional motorcycles.”

OPEP’s operational successes were also complemented by the arrest of five suspected criminals and the recovery of 26 mobile phones and other items in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to Oteh, troops, while tracking a stolen phone, were led to Prime House Hotel along Baring Road in Jos North.

According to him, a phone was snatched on 6 November 2026 at about 9 p.m. and allegedly tracked to the hotel, prompting troops to launch an operation at the premises.

He said that during the raid, five suspects were arrested, while the stolen phone was recovered among their belongings.

Other items recovered, according to the spokesman, included 25 additional mobile phones, 27 phone pouches, three MP devices, two earpods, an HP laptop, a knife and four power banks.

He said that 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 are currently in military custody as investigations continue.