RismadarVoice Reporters
September 21, 2026
At least nine people, including a pastor, were reported killed in separate attacks across communities in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring areas of Plateau State between Saturday night and Sunday morning, although accounts of the casualty figures were not entirely consistent.
According to community leaders cited in reports of the incidents, five passengers were killed while travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Saturday night.
Two other people, including a pastor, were reportedly killed on Sunday morning while travelling to church at Dorowa Babuje.
A woman was separately reported killed at Baten Wereng in Riyom Local Government Area, while another death was reported at Ratyidi in Fan District.
Those figures produce a reported total of nine deaths: five at Gana-Ropp, two at Dorowa Babuje, one at Baten Wereng and one at Ratyidi.
However, another account put the casualties at Gana-Ropp and Dorowa Babuje at higher figures. The discrepancy had not been publicly reconciled by security authorities at the time of reporting.
National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, Bulus Dabit, confirmed deaths at Gana-Ropp and called for urgent security intervention.
“The continued attacks are causing pain and fear among residents and should not be allowed to continue,” Dabit said.
Pyem Youth Leader in Gana-Ropp, Ukasha Garaba, also gave an account of five deaths in the community.
“We evacuated the corpses of five persons from Gana-Ropp. They were passengers who were travelling as labourers,” Garaba said.
COMMUNITY LEADERS CALL FOR STRONGER SECURITY
Spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the reported attack at Dorowa Babuje and said one of those killed was a pastor travelling to church.
“We learnt that the pastor was going to church when he was attacked and killed. We condemn these attacks in the strongest terms,” Tengwong said.
“The killing of innocent people must stop,” he added.
Tengwong called for an increased security presence in affected communities, investigations into the attacks and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
CATTLE REPORTED KILLED, STOLEN
Separate reports indicated that several cattle were killed or stolen around Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis early on Sunday.
Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Barkin Ladi, Gambo Abubakar, confirmed reports of cattle rustling and called on security agencies to investigate and restore calm.
The Plateau State Police Command had not issued a detailed public account reconciling the casualty figures at the time of the initial reports.
Until security authorities provide a consolidated account, the nine-person death toll remains a figure based on reports from community representatives rather than a final official casualty count.
