Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Plateau State, Nigeria — Residents of Bashar District in Wase Local Government Area have been plunged into fear and mourning following the killing of Ayuba Rabilu, a local man who was shot dead on a rural road while returning home, amid a wave of violent attacks attributed to suspected militia groups operating in the region. Community members say the assailants continue to shoot sporadically and terrorise villages across the district, deepening a climate of insecurity that has left families on edge.
According to local accounts, Rabilu was ambushed on a stretch of road near his home when unidentified armed men opened fire. The attack occurred in the context of a broader pattern of militia violence in Bashar and its environs, where villagers have endured repeated assaults, abductions and random shootings that force residents to flee, hide or restrict movement for fear of being targeted.
The insecurity afflicting Bashar District is part of a longstanding pattern of violent attacks and abductions along rural roads and neighbouring communities in Plateau State. Recently, armed men intercepted travellers heading to religious gatherings in the same Bashar area, abducting dozens of Muslim faithful as they journeyed to Maulud prayers — an incident reported to involve 28 people taken captive by attackers while travelling late at night, according to multiple local sources.
Community leaders and residents have reported that the abducted group, which included women and children, remains in the custody of their captors, and efforts by relatives and security agencies to secure their release have so far been inconclusive, heightening worry among families and neighbours.
The violence has triggered widespread alarm, with villagers calling for urgent prayers, increased security presence and accelerated action from government authorities to protect civilians and rescue those still held by armed groups. Many say they are unable to farm, trade or even move between neighbouring communities without risking attack, contributing to displacement and disruption of livelihoods.
Plateau State has struggled with cycles of militia and bandit attacks for years, with remote districts like Bashar particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to isolated highways and limited security infrastructure. The prevalence of violent incidents — from ambushes and killings to abductions on inter-community roads — has drawn repeated condemnation from residents and civil society actors who argue that more proactive policing and military intervention are urgently needed to safeguard lives.
In the absence of timely and effective protection, local communities have increasingly reported living in fear of night-time raids or shootings, often retreating to bush paths or villages for safety. The killing of Rabilu, in broad daylight on a rural road, has underscored these fears and the sense of vulnerability felt by many in Bashar District.
Security analysts and local leaders have reiterated long-standing calls for enhanced security deployments, stronger intelligence-led operations and better coordination between state authorities and federal security agencies to address militias’ mobility and firepower. They emphasise that the continued terrorising of civilians not only strains community relations but also undermines confidence in public safety.
At present, families of the abducted travellers remain in anguish, and residents continue to keep watch, fearful of further attacks. Community representatives have appealed to humanitarian groups to assist with immediate relief for displaced and traumatised families, and to amplify advocacy for sustained protection measures that can halt the cycle of attacks and restore a sense of safety in Bashar and neighbouring districts.
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