Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Gunmen killed a security operative attached to Operation Rainbow and three civilians in separate attacks in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, bringing the day's death toll to four and underscoring the worsening security situation in the state. The security operative was ambushed along the Gagshi Road between Barkin Ladi and Bokkos LGAs at about 4:00 p.m. The attack occurred less than 24 hours after the Plateau State Government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu LGAs in response to a weekend of violence that left at least nine people dead across the state.
The three civilians were killed in a separate incident at Rakok, also known as Kafi Abu, in Barkin Ladi LGA. According to a community source, Lawrence Gyang, the victims were attending the funeral of two persons who had been killed the previous day while travelling to Gashish District when the attackers struck. One man and two unidentified women were killed in broad daylight during the funeral gathering. The Plateau State Police Command had not issued an official statement on either incident as of the time of filing this report, and the spokesman, Alabo Alfred, did not respond to inquiries.
The ambush on the Operation Rainbow personnel was confirmed by a security operative who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We just experienced an ambush in which a security personnel attached to Operation Rainbow was killed," the operative said. The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, Dalyop Mwantiri, who narrowly escaped being caught in the incident, described the attack as evidence that the security situation in Plateau State was deteriorating into a more dangerous phase. He noted that attacks were no longer confined to the night and were now occurring in broad daylight. "I would have also been involved in that incident if not that God, in His mercy, saved me," Mwantiri said. He appealed to security operatives to remain vigilant and continue protecting communities despite the risks involved.
The attacks came barely a day after the state government imposed the curfew, which restricts movement between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily. The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, said the measure was aimed at maintaining public order and preventing a breakdown of law and order. She said the curfew took effect on Monday, September 21, 2026, and would remain in force until further notice. The government also banned the use of motorcycles in the affected areas and directed security operatives to enforce both measures strictly.
The latest killings add to a grim tally of violence in Plateau State in recent weeks. Between Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, at least nine people were killed in separate attacks across Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Mangu LGAs. Five passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi were killed when their vehicle came under attack on Saturday night. A pastor and his relatives were killed at Dorowa Babuje on Sunday morning while on their way to church. A woman was killed at Baten Wereng in Riyom LGA, and another person was killed at Ratyidi in Fan District. Several cattle were also killed or stolen around Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis.
The Plateau State Government has said it remains committed to protecting lives and property, but the persistence of attacks despite the curfew suggests that security measures alone are not sufficient to address the crisis. Community leaders have repeatedly called for sustained security deployment, intelligence-led operations, and the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators. The attacks have also renewed concerns about the effectiveness of the curfew, which restricts the movement of ordinary residents but has not prevented armed groups from carrying out attacks in broad daylight. For now, the people of Barkin Ladi and surrounding communities remain on edge, and the question on everyone's mind is whether the next attack will come before the curfew is lifted.
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