By The Nigeria Times Staffers
Residents of Nding Sesut community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State were plunged into fear again on Wednesday after gunmen suspected to be Fulani Militias reportedly attacked mourners gathered for the burial of victims killed in an earlier assault, leaving the community with fresh casualties and renewed questions about security in the area.
The mourning event had been organized for seven Christians killed in a late-night attack on Tuesday, May 5th including members of the same family. Community members said the burial had barely begun when armed men appeared near the cemetery and began firing shots, forcing mourners and sympathizers to flee for safety.
Local sources said the attack added to the grief of families already preparing to bury their loved ones after the previous night’s violence. The Tuesday assault on Nding community had left several people dead and others injured, prompting calls from residents for stronger protection in villages that have faced repeated attacks in recent months.
One community member, Weng Christopher, described the atmosphere in the area as tense, saying many residents now live with constant fear because of repeated incidents of violence. He said Christians in the community had been hearing warnings of possible attacks, but the latest assault still went ahead.
The Berom Youth Moulders Association confirmed the killings and said a separate attack on Rim community in nearby Riyom Local Government Area was also attempted around the same period. According to the association’s Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the attack on Rim was repelled by local vigilantes working alongside personnel of Operation Rainbow, the state-owned security outfit.
Tengwong condemned the repeated assaults and called on security agencies to strengthen their presence in vulnerable communities across Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and surrounding areas. He said residents should not be left to defend themselves while waiting for help to arrive.
In a statement released by the Plateau State Police Command, officials confirmed the attack on Nding Susut and said five people were killed in the Tuesday night violence. The command said the dead included four women and a nine-year-old boy, while three other people sustained injuries and were taken to the General Hospital for treatment. The bodies of those killed were also deposited at the hospital.
The police said Commissioner of Police CP Bassey Ewah condemned the killings and ordered the deployment of additional tactical teams, including mobile police units, to restore calm in Barkin Ladi. He said the command had begun investigations and was working with other security agencies and community leaders to identify and arrest those responsible.
The police also urged residents to remain calm and share credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation.
Community members, however, said the response from security forces came too late to prevent the violence. An eyewitness said a security alert had circulated among youths in the area before the shooting started, causing some people to disperse. Moments later, gunfire reportedly erupted, and the attackers withdrew toward nearby hideouts.
Residents said security personnel arrived after the attack had already taken place. They also reported hearing gunshots around the Fan axis, the Rop axis, and parts of Barkin Ladi town on Wednesday, adding to concern that the violence may still be ongoing in nearby locations.
The repeated attacks have deepened concern among families in the region, where Christian farming communities have been disrupted by killings, displacement, and fear of further violence. For many residents, the latest burial attack was not only an assault on grieving families but also another sign that vulnerable communities remain exposed.
Local leaders and youth groups have continued to call for sustained security patrols, early response to warnings, and stronger coordination between police, military personnel, and community-based security teams. They say communities should not be left to depend only on informal warnings while armed groups move freely in the area.
The incidents in Barkin Ladi and Riyom also come as Christian farming communities across Plateau State continue to report repeated attacks, often during periods when villagers are gathered for worship, farming, or mourning. In many cases, residents say they are left to bury their dead while still living under the threat of renewed violence.
For the people of Nding Sesut, Wednesday’s burial was meant to mark the end of one chapter of loss. Instead, it became part of another. As families prepared to lay their loved ones to rest, gunfire returned to the community, forcing mourners to scatter and leaving fresh trauma behind.
Security agencies say investigations are underway. For residents, the immediate concern remains whether the next warning will come in time to prevent another attack.
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