RismadarVoice Reporters
September 23, 2026
At least seven people have been killed in two separate incidents in Plateau State, with three community vigilantes reportedly ambushed by gunmen in Mangu Local Government Area and four suspected illegal miners dying in a sand pit collapse in Bokkos LGA.
The three vigilantes were attacked on Tuesday night at the Kyikyau–Gyambwas boundary in Mangu Hall District of Mangu Local Government Area.
The Mwaghavul Youth Movement (MYM) said the incident occurred at about 9:39 p.m., during the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed by the Plateau State Government in parts of the state.
The victims were identified as Samson Dachet, 45; Gambo Fwangyil, 50; and Zughumnan Bamaiyi, 35.
In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Tubwot Joël Sunday, on behalf of the movement’s President, Kyesmang Jonathan Yusuf, the MYM condemned the attack and called for an immediate review of the curfew arrangement in Mangu.
According to the group, the victims were among residents involved in community vigilance when they were ambushed.
The movement questioned the effectiveness of the curfew, arguing that vulnerable communities could remain exposed if armed attackers were able to operate during the restricted hours.
“If law-abiding citizens are confined to their homes from 6:00 p.m., while armed Fulani criminals continue to move, attack and kill with impunity during the same period, who is the curfew ultimately protecting?” the group asked.
The MYM expressed concern that the curfew could disadvantage communities that depend on organised vigilance to protect their homes, farms and families.
It called on the Plateau State Government and security agencies to reassess the measure, particularly its impact on communities vulnerable to attacks after dusk.
The group said it was not opposed to measures aimed at protecting lives but urged authorities to strengthen security around affected communities.
It also called for increased patrols, rapid-response capabilities, intelligence-led operations and proper coordination with recognised community vigilance groups during the curfew hours.
In a separate incident, four suspected illegal miners died after a sand excavation pit collapsed in Tangur community, Bokkos Local Government Area.
A resident, Maren Jacob, said the incident occurred at about 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday.
According to Jacob, the victims were excavating sand along a riverbank when the pit suddenly collapsed, trapping them underneath.
He said relatives later recovered the bodies for burial.
Efforts to obtain comments from security agencies on the two incidents were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.
