JOS – At least six people have been confirmed dead following coordinated overnight attacks on rural communities in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
The attacks, which occurred late Sunday and into the early hours of Monday, April 20, have sparked fresh fears of a resurgence in the communal violence that has plagued the state over the last month.
The Night of Violence
Local community leaders confirmed that gunmen stormed the Hurum community in Barkin Ladi around 10:00 PM on Sunday. Witnesses say the attackers opened fire sporadically, killing four residents and leaving five others with gunshot wounds.
Barely an hour later, a similar assault was launched on the Shonong community in Riyom LGA. Two people were killed in that raid, and three others are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Security Presence in Jos Metropolis
While the Jos city center has not recorded any major attacks today, the atmosphere remains extremely tense. Security forces under Operation Enduring Peace have intensified patrols in Jos North following a series of arrests over the weekend.
In the Congo-Russia area of the city, a suspect was apprehended for allegedly stabbing a security operative. Another individual was caught with ammunition near the Gray Garden axis. These incidents follow a bloody “Palm Sunday” attack in Angwan Rukuba last month, which left nearly 30 people dead and led to a temporary total lockdown of the city.
Residents on Edge
Despite the easing of the previous 48-hour curfew, residents in Terminus and near the University of Jos report a heavy military presence. Local groups have called for increased surveillance on the outskirts of the city, where rural dwellers remain vulnerable to hit-and-run attacks.
The Plateau State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the casualties from the latest Hurum and Shonong raids, though security personnel have been deployed to the affected villages to prevent retaliatory strikes.
