Plateau attacks: 13 reported killed across Jos South, Mangu, Riyom
At least 13 people have been reported killed in separate attacks across three local government areas of Plateau State, including nine passengers travelling towards Jos, as security authorities work to establish the full scale of the violence.
The attacks affected Jos South, Mangu and Riyom local government areas over the weekend, according to community accounts and multiple reports.
Plateau State police confirmed that attacks had occurred but said comprehensive information was still being gathered.
The incident with the highest reported toll occurred at Dungus in Jos South on Sunday night, where gunmen opened fire on a vehicle carrying passengers towards Jos.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders, said the attack occurred at about 9:40 p.m. and that nine passengers were killed.
Several others sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospitals, according to his account.
One of those reported killed was a member of Plateau State’s Operation Rainbow security outfit.
More deaths reported in Mangu, Riyom
Separate violence was reported in Vodni community in Pushit District of Mangu Local Government Area, where two people were reported killed and four others wounded.
In Riyom Local Government Area, two more deaths were reported following an attack at Tahoos.
Those figures bring the reported toll across the three areas to 13, although security authorities had not independently issued a consolidated casualty figure when the incidents were first reported.
Police still establishing full picture
Plateau State Commissioner of Police Ayo Faniyan confirmed that attacks had occurred but said the command was still gathering information before issuing a comprehensive statement.
The Plateau State Government also condemned the violence, referring to attacks in parts of Mangu on Saturday and the incident at Dungus Junction in Jos South on Sunday.
The government urged residents in affected communities to remain vigilant, avoid reprisals and provide credible information to security agencies.
The differing timelines and casualty accounts underline a central verification problem: reports from affected communities have moved faster than a complete security-agency account.
For families travelling through the affected areas, the immediate consequence extends beyond the reported death toll.
The attack on a passenger vehicle has renewed attention on civilian movement through communities already facing recurrent insecurity.
What authorities must answer
The latest violence raises fresh questions over how attackers were able to strike across multiple Plateau communities within a short period, what security presence existed around vulnerable routes and communities, and whether intelligence available before the attacks produced an effective preventive response.
Authorities have not publicly established who carried out the attacks.
Claims identifying the attackers therefore remain allegations until supported by security investigations or other credible evidence.
The next critical developments are the police’s consolidated casualty account, the condition of the wounded, any arrests or security operations linked directly to the incidents, and what additional protection is being deployed for affected communities and transport routes.