Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Barrister Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, narrowly escaped death on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, after gunmen ambushed a convoy of security operatives attached to Operation Rainbow in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. The attack, which occurred along the Gagshi Road between Barkin Ladi and Bokkos LGAs, resulted in the death of one security personnel. In a separate but related incident in Rakok community, also known as Kafi Abu, three civilians were killed, bringing the day's death toll to four.
Mwantiri, who was part of the Operation Rainbow convoy, confirmed the incident in a statement shared on social media late Tuesday. He said the security personnel were responding to a distress call when they ran into an ambush set up by the attackers. "We experienced an ambush at about 4pm in which a security personnel attached to Operation Rainbow was killed," a security operative who spoke on condition of anonymity told The PUNCH. Mwantiri described the development as an indication that the security situation in the state was taking a bigger dimension despite a dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos LGAs. "I would have also been involved in that incident if not that God, out of His mercy, saved me," he said. "The insecurity situation is now taking a bigger dimension as the attacks are no longer confined to the night. They are now occurring in broad daylight".
The three civilians killed in Rakok were mourners attending the funeral of two persons who had been murdered the previous day while travelling to Gashish District. A community leader, Mr Lawrence Gyang, said one man and two unidentified women were killed in broad daylight during the funeral gathering. "The victims were among mourners who had gathered for the funeral when the incident occurred," Gyang said. The Plateau State Police Command later confirmed the death of a Chief Superintendent of Police and three civilians in separate attacks in Barkin Ladi. The Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, said investigations were ongoing to identify those responsible. "Investigations are ongoing to unravel the perpetrators of the attack and ensure justice is served," Alabo told Channels Television.
In Mangu Local Government Area, the Mwaghavul Youth Movement reported that three men were killed at the Kyikyau Community boundary with Gyambwas in Mangu Halle District on Tuesday night. The victims, aged 45, 50 and 35, were keeping watch over their community when they were ambushed by armed attackers. The incident occurred at about 7:39 p.m., during the curfew period. The Berom Youth Moulders Association also reported the killing of a 22-year-old husband and father of two during attacks on Rakwok, Bet, Razat, Gassa and Rakung communities in Barkin Ladi on Monday night.
The attacks came barely a day after the Plateau State Government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu LGAs, restricting movement between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. until further notice. The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, said the measure was aimed at maintaining public order, protecting lives and preventing a breakdown of law and order. The government also banned the use of motorcycles in the affected areas and directed security operatives to enforce both measures strictly.
The killings have renewed concerns from community groups over the effectiveness of the curfew. Both the Berom Youth Moulders Association and the Mwaghavul Youth Movement called for stronger security operations, including improved patrols, rapid response and intelligence-led operations. They argued that restricting residents' movement would not be effective if armed attackers could continue to operate during the curfew hours. The attacks also came amid a broader wave 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. A pastor and his relatives were killed at Dorowa Babuje 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.
The Plateau State Police Command has urged residents to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies as investigations continue. The 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 and the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators. 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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