Heavily armed gunmen, suspected to be Fulani bandits, attacked the Rim community in Riyom Local Government Area on Tuesday night, killing two residents and injuring several others, according to local sources and community leaders.
The attack occurred around 10:30 pm when most villagers had retired to bed. Witnesses said the assailants fired sporadically for over 30 minutes before fleeing into nearby bushes and rocky areas, evading capture by security forces.
Residents who spoke with newsmen on Wednesday described the invasion as unprovoked and sudden. A local resident, Dusu Bulus, said the community was caught off guard as there had been no prior incident that could have triggered a reprisal attack.
“The attack was sudden. We had no warning, and the people were asleep when they stormed the village,” Bulus said.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Movement, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the assault, adding that the incident threw the community into panic.
“Gunmen stormed Rim Village around 10 pm on Tuesday night and opened fire sporadically. As of now, two people have been confirmed killed while two others sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital,” Tengwong said.
The attack has raised alarm among residents, who are calling for increased security presence in the area. Tengwong described the incident as “a sad episode in the recurring insecurity plaguing parts of Riyom and other communities in Plateau State.”
He urged security operatives to intensify patrols and bring the perpetrators to justice, noting that repeated attacks have left villagers living in fear.
Plateau State has witnessed a series of violent attacks in recent years, particularly in rural communities where bandits often target villages for robbery, abduction, and destruction of property. These attacks have disrupted daily life, limited access to education and health services, and forced many residents to flee to safer locations.
Government responses have included deployment of military and police patrols, community policing initiatives, and dialogue with local leaders. However, attacks like the one in Rim Village highlight the continued challenges in containing violence and protecting rural communities.
Community leaders in Rim and surrounding villages have demanded urgent intervention from both state and federal security agencies. They stressed that residents live in constant fear, and without stronger protection, the cycle of violence is likely to continue.
“The security situation is deteriorating, and we need immediate measures to prevent further loss of life,” Tengwong said.
Residents also appealed to the government to provide support for victims of attacks, including medical care for the injured and assistance for families of the deceased.