Midnight massacre: Suspected Fulani bandits leave eight dead in Plateau community

Eight persons were killed while another sustained gunshot injuries after suspected Fulani bandits attacked Kum community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State in the early hours of Sunday.

The incident was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the attackers stormed the community at about 12:30 am, opening fire on residents before fleeing the area.

Troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace, responded after receiving a distress call from the community.

Responding to the attack, security operatives reportedly found eight residents dead, while one survivor had sustained gunshot wounds.

“Troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), who responded immediately after receiving a distress report, arrived at the scene to find eight villagers already killed, while one survivor had sustained gunshot wounds,” the report stated.

Makama said the injured victim was evacuated to the General Hospital in Riyom for medical treatment, while the bodies of those killed were also recovered from the scene.

The report further stated that troops launched offensive operations across nearby communities and surrounding forests in an effort to track down the fleeing attackers.

Makama said additional personnel had been deployed to the area, while clearance and exploitation operations remained ongoing to prevent further attacks and reassure residents.

The attack followed a series of reported security incidents in Plateau State, including recent killings in Riyom, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas, according to the report.

Makama said security forces have continued intelligence-led patrols and surveillance across affected communities as efforts to track the attackers continue.