Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A young couple, Mr. Iliya Gyang, 30, and his pregnant wife, Mrs. Grace Iliya, 25, were killed in a fresh attack at Angwan Ishaku in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Wednesday evening, May 13, 2026. The assailants, who arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire on residents and fled the scene. Mrs. Iliya died on the spot, while her husband later succumbed to gunshot injuries at a hospital. Two other persons sustained injuries; their conditions have not yet been confirmed. The couple are survived by one‑year‑old twin boys.
The attack was condemned by the Berom Youth Moulders‑Association (BYM), which confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Thursday, May 14. According to the association, the attackers struck without warning, leaving the community in shock. “The couple were sitting outside their home when the gunmen rode in and shot them. The wife was pregnant. This is a heartbreaking loss,” a BYM spokesman said. The association called on security agencies to intensify operations in the affected communities and urged the Plateau State Government to provide immediate support for the orphaned twins.
The killing comes just days after security meetings and engagements aimed at addressing the persistent violence in the area. Barkin Ladi has witnessed repeated attacks in recent months, with gunmen targeting farming communities, burning homes, and killing residents. Despite ongoing peace efforts and military deployments, the attacks have continued, leaving many residents fearful and displaced. The latest incident has reignited calls for more proactive security measures, including the deployment of additional troops and the establishment of permanent military posts in vulnerable communities.
The Plateau State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the attack as of Thursday morning. However, a police source confirmed that an investigation has been launched and that a manhunt for the assailants is underway. Meanwhile, community leaders have appealed to the government to ensure that the orphaned twins are placed in safe care and that the family receives urgent assistance.
The BYM reiterated its call for a comprehensive security overhaul in Plateau State, noting that the cycle of violence has become unbearable for residents. “How many more families must be destroyed before the government takes decisive action?” the association asked in its statement. The couple’s bodies have been deposited in a mortuary pending burial arrangements.
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