Six farmers have been killed and one other injured in fresh attacks on Foron and Gero communities in Plateau State, spanning Jos South and Barkin Ladi local government areas, sparking renewed tension in the troubled region.
Solomon Dalyop, National President of the Berom Youth Moulder-Association (BYM), said the victims were attacked at a mining site in the Gero community, where gunmen allegedly opened fire on farmers working at the location.
According to Dalyop, “the incident occurred at about 9:34 a.m., when the assailants suddenly opened fire on miners at the site, forcing others to flee for safety”.
Read also: Gunmen kill seven in fresh attack on Plateau village
In a related incident, Rwang Tengwong, spokesperson of the BYM, said another farmer was killed near the Foron community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area by armed men.
“During the attack, Ayuba Pam Choji, aged 44, was brutally stabbed to death,” Tengwong said, adding that the deceased was riding on a motorcycle with another person who narrowly escaped.
Tengwong quoted the survivor as saying that “the assailants suddenly emerged from hiding and attacked them without provocation,” alleging that the attackers had earlier positioned themselves around the Bisichi axis.
He further claimed that the attackers had issued threats and an ultimatum for residents to vacate the area on or before January 7, 2026, before fleeing back towards the Bisichi area after the attack, while accusing members of the Fulani ethnic group of responsibility.
However, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), denied the allegation, saying, “It is unfortunate that the Berom would always accuse us of crimes we know nothing about despite attacks on herders and their cattle, we are still being accused of attacking others. The allegation is baseless and uncalled for”.
