Tragedy struck in Plateau State on Wednesday as suspected gunmen launched a deadly attacks on mourners gathered for a mass burial in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, leaving many feared dead and several others injured.
The attacks which occurred in the afternoon, disrupted burial rites for seven victims earlier killed in an overnight assault on the community, compounding an already tense security situation in the area.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the attackers had reportedly laid siege from surrounding hills, monitoring activities before descending on the unsuspecting mourners.
The assailants opened fire as locals were digging graves, forcing them to abandon the exercise and flee for safety.
An eyewitness, Masara Kim, who spoke with our correspondent described the incident as part of coordinated attacks affecting no fewer than five communities within a 20-mile radius south of Jos, the Plateau State Capital
According to him, the burial had barely commenced when intelligence filtered in that armed men were advancing toward the community.
“We were still digging the graves when reports came that they were mobilising. Before we could respond, they emerged from the hills and began shooting. People were falling right before my eyes,” he said.
Kim added that the graves, which were less than two feet deep, had to be hastily used as final resting places without full funeral rites.
“There was only a brief prayer before the bodies were hurriedly buried. Moments later, the attacked intensified. A local defender was shot dead in front of me. We were completely overwhelmed,” he said in tears.
He further disclosed that residents, including local vigilantes armed with rudimentary weapons, were unable to repel the attackers, forcing many to abandon vehicles and belongings as they fled.
The eyewitness, however, said he could not confirm the casualty figure due to the chaotic nature of the incident.
Also reacting, the Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwom, described the situation as “devastating,” noting that several villagers, including the association’s president, were trapped during the attacks.
Tengwom confirmed that additional casualties were recorded, with two persons reportedly killed and several others sustaining injuries.
He lamented what he termed the helplessness of rural communities, alleging that armed herders carried out the attacks while residents struggled to defend themselves.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies were yet to issue an official statement, while efforts to obtain further details on casualty figures and the extent of damage proved abortive.
The incident has confirmed the growing concerns over renewed attacks in Plateau communities, raising fresh questions about security preparedness and response in vulnerable rural areas.