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Anger and fear have gripped Nding Susut community in Fan District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State after gunmen stormed the area Tuesday night, killing five people, including an entire family.
The attack occurred at about 9 pm, leaving residents shaken and renewing concerns over recurring violence in parts of Plateau State.
Some members of the community, including Weng Christopher, who confirmed the killings to The PUNCH in Jos on Wednesday, said the assailants “stormed the area and opened fire on unsuspecting victims.”
Christopher said, “Five members of the same family were killed on the spot, while another resident of the community was also killed during the attack.”
“This is becoming too frequent. People are living in constant fear,” Christopher lamented, describing the situation as “alarming and distressing for residents.”
The Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the killings and condemned the attack, calling for urgent intervention by security agencies.
“The spate of attacks is one too many,” Tengwong said, urging authorities “to intensify efforts to protect lives and property across Plateau State.”
Tengwong further disclosed that the gunmen had attempted to attack Rim community in neighbouring Riyom Local Government Area the same night but were repelled by local vigilantes and personnel of Operation Rainbow, the state-owned security outfit.
The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the incident and condemned the killings in an official statement released on Wednesday.
According to the statement signed by the state police spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, “The Plateau State Police Command regrets to confirm a deadly attack by yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Nding Susut Community, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, late in the night of 05/5/26.”
The command said the assailants “opened fire on residents who were seated in front of their houses, resulting in the tragic loss of five lives, four females and one 9-year-old boy.
“Three other victims, all females, sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at General Hospital, while the corpses of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue.
“Upon receipt of the report, a team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer, Barkin Ladi, was immediately mobilised to the scene. The area has since been secured, and normalcy is gradually being restored,” the statement read.
Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah, “strongly condemns this senseless act of violence and extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the entire community of Nding Susut.”
To prevent a recurrence, CP Ewah said he has “immediately deployed additional tactical teams and operational assets to Barkin Ladi LGA,” including mobile police personnel and specialised units for patrols, intelligence gathering, and rapid response.
The command said investigations have commenced and it is working with other security agencies and community leaders “to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”
CP Ewah urged residents to “remain calm, law-abiding, and to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid investigations,” while providing emergency control room lines for the public to report suspicious activities.
The latest incident has heightened anxiety in Barkin Ladi, where residents say they no longer feel safe even within their homes.
Many are now calling on both the state and federal government to take decisive action before more lives are lost.
