Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A tragic incident unfolded in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday, August 22, 2026, when suspected Fulani bandits opened fire on illegal miners, killing one person and sending others fleeing for their lives. The attack occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. at an illegal mining site in Rim community, a location that has witnessed a series of violent incidents in recent months. Troops of Sector 6, Operation ENDURING PEACE, who were deployed in the area, swiftly responded to reports of sporadic gunshots at the mining location. Working alongside personnel of the Department of State Services, the security forces arrived at the scene to find the lifeless body of Mr. Dachung Dacholom, who had been shot by the assailants. The attackers had already fled into the surrounding high grounds, leaving behind a scene of panic and tragedy.
The incident at the Rim community mining site is part of a worrying pattern of violence that has plagued Plateau State, particularly in areas where illegal mining activities are rampant. The attackers, believed to be Fulani militia members, had opened fire on the miners before escaping, and despite a thorough combing of the general area by troops, no contact was made with the assailants. The victim’s remains were subsequently handed over to his family members for burial, while security forces have intensified patrols and domination of the general area to prevent further attacks and de-escalate tensions in the community.
The killing of Dachung Dacholom comes on the heels of a similar attack in the same Riyom Local Government Area earlier in August. On August 2, 2026, gunmen suspected to be armed Fulani bandits invaded Torok village in Rim community and killed a former councillor, Daniel Danjuma Chong. That attack occurred around 10:45 p.m. and sent residents into panic. The recurrence of such incidents in the same community highlights the persistent security challenges facing the region, where illegal mining sites have become flashpoints for violent clashes.
The Nigerian military, through Operation ENDURING PEACE, has been actively engaged in efforts to curb the violence in Plateau State. In a separate development, troops of Sector 8, Operation ENDURING PEACE, foiled a planned attack on Mwar community in Mangu Local Government Area on August 19, following intelligence of an imminent assault by suspected bandit militias. The military has also relocated the tactical headquarters of Operation Enduring Peace from Jos to Mangu following a series of deadly attacks in the area. These operations underscore the military's determination to restore peace in the state, though the recent killing of a miner in Rim community suggests that much work remains to be done.
Security agencies are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack on Dachung Dacholom. As troops intensify patrols and maintain a presence in the area, the hope is that such targeted operations will deter further violence and bring a measure of stability to the troubled communities of Riyom and beyond. For the family of Mr. Dachung Dacholom, however, the loss is irreplaceable, and his death serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of the insecurity that has become a recurring feature of life in Plateau State.
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