Plateau: Tears as eight victims of Barkin Ladi massacre gets mass burial

There was an outpouring of grief and sorrow on Tuesday as eight residents killed during last week’s attack on Gwon-Ajang village in Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area were laid to rest in a mass burial.

The victims were among those killed when suspected Fulani bandits reportedly invaded the community on the night of May 31, 2026.

More than 15 other residents sustained varying degrees of injuries during the assault.

According to reports, the attackers, said to be over 100 in number, stormed the village at about 10 p.m. and opened fire on residents who had retired for the night. Eight people were killed, while several others were injured as they attempted to flee the area.

Eyewitnesses said the victims were buried in an atmosphere filled with tears and anguish as family members, community leaders, religious figures and sympathisers gathered to pay their last respects.

The mourners lamented the continued attacks on rural communities in Plateau State and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to protect lives and property in the area.

The mass burial drew residents from neighbouring communities who joined the grieving families in mourning those lost in the deadly attack.

During the mass burial which drew emotional reactions, sympathizers called on the state government and security agencies to be proactive and set up measures to prevent a repeat of such unwarranted violence and repeated attacks on vulnerable farming communities, especially with the farming season setting in.

A former member of the House of Representatives, who represented Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, Peter Gyendeng, who spoke at the mass burial, lamented what he described as the recurring attacks on communities across the state by bandits and terrorists, saying residents had become weary of the continuous loss of lives.

Gyendeng, who described the attack as another painful reminder of the fragility of peace in the state, said the people were tired of such violence and wanton killings.

“We are sick and tired of being killed. We have been living in peace and have tried everything humanly possible to avoid engaging with anyone. We have never crossed into another community to attack anyone, yet these things continue to happen to us daily,” the former lawmaker said.

Gyendeng expressed frustration over the failure of security agencies to halt the cycle of violence despite the peaceful disposition of affected communities.

“It is painful. People stay in their communities and somebody comes to attack and kill them. You cannot even celebrate one good thing without fear. For how long will people continue to live this kind of life?” He queried.

He called on relevant government authorities to take urgent steps to halt the attacks and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Also speaking at the burial, the member representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ishaya Lalu, expressed sorrow over the killings and other recent attacks in other parts of the state.

Describing the renewed violence as painful, heartbreaking and unacceptable, Lalu said no community should be forced to live under fear and violence.

“I am deeply saddened by the continuous loss of innocent lives in our communities. These attacks are not only cruel but also a direct assault on our shared humanity and peaceful coexistence as a people,” he said.

Lalu urged security agencies to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities and bring perpetrators of the attacks to justice.

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