By Lawrence Zongo.
Christian families in Plateau State say they are living on alert after a series of attacks this week left three people dead and several others injured.
The first incident occurred on November 16 in the Bwom community of Barkin Ladi, where a local church elder was shot near his home shortly after returning from a church meeting. Residents said the gunmen fled toward Lugere hamlet, an area they describe as difficult for security forces to access. Over the past year, communities in Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Bokkos, and Riyom have repeatedly cited Lugere as a known crossing point for armed groups, echoing concerns raised about Mahanga in Riyom.
On November 22, another attack was reported in the Ruku community, where three farmers were confronted on their fields. One man died from gunshot wounds, while two others were transported to a nearby clinic with serious injuries. Community members said they believe the attackers crossed in from the Rawaya hamlet before leaving the area. Residents described Rawaya as a location where movement is difficult to monitor and where previous suspects have retreated.
A third incident occurred on November 24 in Shurum village, where a woman was killed while harvesting crops. Villagers reported that the attackers approached from the same direction as in previous incidents that week. According to local health workers, at least five people sustained injuries in the three attacks, with three still receiving treatment at area hospitals as of November 24.
Security forces responded to the Ruku incident, but residents said the attackers had already left the area by the time officers arrived. In Dorowa, villagers recalled a separate security concern from three weeks earlier, when a soldier was killed at a checkpoint and his rifle taken. Community leaders said no arrests have been made in that case, and no visible adjustments to security posture have been observed since then.
Local farmers say the recent incidents have added to existing fears, especially during the harvest season. Community elders reported seeing unfamiliar individuals in farming areas and around rocky outcrops near Ropp and Gashish districts. Residents said the individuals move at dusk and dawn and avoid main paths during the day. Some villagers mentioned attempted assaults near rivers where women and children fetch water, prompting families to restrict outdoor activity.
Farmers in several villages said they now avoid returning to fields at normal hours. Many described stopping work early, working in groups, or abandoning certain farmlands entirely. These concerns follow similar reports from earlier in the year in which villagers claimed they had seen observers stationed on elevated terrain around Kazok rocks and Marit rocks.
Community members listed five locations they believe are frequently used as operating points: Mahanga hamlet in Riyom, Marit rocks in Ropp district, Lugere hamlet in Ropp district, Rawaya hamlet in Gashish district, and Kazok rocks in Gashish district. All five are areas residents say are difficult for security forces to patrol consistently.
Villagers also expressed frustration with what they see as a limited government presence. Several community leaders reported that they have resorted to contributing fuel for security vehicles to enable faster responses to distress calls. They said the arrangement is informal but necessary due to the distance between rural communities and security bases.
The week’s incidents bring the total number of people killed in these communities between November 17 and 24 to three, with five injured. As of November 24, there has been no public statement from Plateau State authorities regarding the attacks.
Residents say they continue to depend on informal neighborhood watch groups while urging authorities to increase patrols around farmlands as harvest season continues.
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