Late Saturday night, an assault by suspected armed individuals claimed the lives of nine people from a single family, among them a two-month-old infant, in the Kum and Wereng-Camp areas of Riyom, Plateau State. The violent raid commenced around 11:30 p.m. and continued for over an hour, during which the village leader sustained severe wounds.
Witness Precious Tok recounted that the attackers executed the victims within their own residence, marking the event as an exceptionally brutal incident for the region. The assailants arrived in significant numbers, firing weapons wildly and compelling villagers to seek refuge in the surrounding wilderness.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders Association, verified that the attackers utilized the darkness to execute their campaign of violence. In addition to the family casualties, the local leader was transported to a medical facility for urgent care. While security forces have been notified, authorities are working to capture those responsible.
Community members are now calling upon both state and federal officials to bolster protection in vulnerable areas like Riyom to prevent future tragedies. Although security teams have been dispatched to the scene, many residents remain in hiding, plagued by uncertainty and fear.
