Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
Gunmen have killed one trader and injured seven others in a fresh ambush in Plateau State, the latest in a series of violent attacks that have continued to destabilise communities across the state despite repeated security interventions and pledges by both the state and federal governments to restore peace.
The attack occurred as the traders were travelling along a route frequently used by businessmen and commuters in the state. According to accounts provided by survivors, the victims were ambushed by armed men who had positioned themselves along the road before opening fire on their vehicle. The injured were taken to hospitals for treatment, while the body of the deceased was recovered and buried amid heightened security to prevent further tension in the area. The identities of the victims have not been officially released, and the police have not issued a formal statement confirming the details of the attack as of Sunday evening.
A survivor of the ambush, Abdul-Alin Ibrahim, recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the attack in an interview with Trust TV. "We were travelling when we suddenly saw men on motorcycles, three on each bike, carrying guns. They overtook us. At first, we were afraid. But when we saw other vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, we felt relieved and continued the journey. Moments later, we saw gunmen ahead with sophisticated weapons. They stopped our vehicle, and after identifying our fate, they began shooting. When they killed my friends, the driver quickly sped off. That was how the two of us survived," Ibrahim said. His account underscores the growing boldness of armed groups operating along highways and rural routes in Plateau State, where traders and travellers have become frequent targets of ambush and abduction.
The attack is the latest in a grim pattern of violence that has afflicted Plateau State for years. In September 2026, gunmen attacked a busy vegetable market in Mangu Local Government Area, killing at least five people and injuring several others as traders and buyers prepared to close for the day. The attack triggered panic and a stampede, with hundreds fleeing in different directions and abandoning their goods. Community leaders said more than 750 members of the Mwaghavul ethnic group had been killed in attacks since 2023, and they called on security agencies to deploy intelligence and technology to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
In February 2026, four traders were killed when gunmen ambushed a group of six shoe sellers travelling from Gangare in Jos North Local Government Area to Pankshin Local Government Area for business. The victims were buried in Barkin Ladi amid tight security, and their relatives expressed profound grief over the loss of loved ones who were simply trying to earn a living. In a separate incident in October 2026, a teenage boy was shot dead in Wereng community in Riyom Local Government Area, allegedly by suspected armed militia members. A multiple-vehicle crash on the Hawan Kibo–Jos road on October 2, which killed 20 people, added to the sense of crisis in the state, though that incident was a road accident rather than an attack.
The cumulative effect of these incidents has been devastating for Plateau State's economy and social fabric. Traders have reported significant financial losses, with some abandoning their investments and relocating to safer areas. In April 2026, Businessday reported that insecurity had crippled businesses across the state, with produce traders losing warehouses and grain merchants abandoning their investments. The violence has also disrupted agricultural activities, as farmers are unable to access their fields and transport produce to markets. The closure of markets and the displacement of communities have compounded the economic hardship facing residents, many of whom depend on trade and farming for their livelihoods.
The Plateau State Government has repeatedly condemned the attacks and called for stronger security measures. Governor Caleb Mutfwang has said his administration will not abandon its responsibility to protect lives and property, and he has directed security agencies to intensify surveillance and patrols in vulnerable communities. The state has also established a Ministry of Homeland Security and invested in community policing initiatives. However, the persistence of attacks suggests that these measures have not yet produced the desired results. The Nigerian Army has conducted operations in the state, including the arrest of suspects linked to previous attacks and the deployment of additional troops to flashpoints. The General Officer Commanding, 3 Division, Major General Williams Dangana, has visited affected communities and appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid retaliatory attacks.
The political context of the violence is significant. The 2027 general elections are less than four months away, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, and the governorship and state assembly elections for February 6. Security has emerged as one of the central issues in the campaign, alongside the cost of living and the economy. President Bola Tinubu is seeking a second term on the All Progressives Congress platform, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress are among the major challengers. The President has cited the operationalisation of new Army formations in several states, including Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun, as evidence of his administration's commitment to strengthening security, and he has said the new formations will bring troops closer to vulnerable communities. Whether those measures will translate into improved security in Plateau State, where attacks have continued despite previous interventions, remains an open question.
For the families of the victims of the latest ambush, the attack has brought grief and uncertainty. For the traders who rely on the state's highways and markets to earn a living, it has reinforced the fear that has become a daily reality in many parts of Plateau State. For the government, it is another reminder that the security challenges confronting the state require sustained, coordinated action that goes beyond statements of condemnation and temporary deployments. As Ibrahim put it, the gunmen identified their victims before opening fire, a detail that suggests the attackers had prior knowledge of the traders' movements. The coming days will determine whether the authorities can identify and apprehend those responsible, and whether the cycle of violence that has claimed so many lives in Plateau State can finally be broken.
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