By SUNTV Global Channel
January 1, 2026 | News
Tragedy struck as the New Year dawned in Plateau State after gunmen attacked a rural community in Jos South Local Government Area, killing at least seven residents, injuring several others, and setting multiple houses ablaze in a coordinated midnight assault.
The attack occurred on Wednesday night, December 31, 2025, in Bum community, Chugwi, Vwang District, while residents were observing crossover night activities to usher in the New Year. What was meant to be a moment of prayer and celebration quickly turned into chaos, grief, and mourning.
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia reportedly invaded the community at about 11:00 p.m., exploiting the festive atmosphere to launch the deadly assault. Eyewitnesses said residents were caught unprepared as gunshots rang out, forcing families to flee into nearby bushes to escape the attackers.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, described the attack as brutal and heartbreaking.
“While the world was celebrating the arrival of the New Year, the people of Bum community were plunged into mourning following a deadly attack by suspected armed Fulani militants,” Tengwong said.
He disclosed that as of Thursday morning, seven corpses had been recovered, while search and rescue operations were still ongoing, raising fears that the death toll could rise.
“At least seven persons have been confirmed dead so far. Several others sustained injuries, and many houses were burnt down during the attack. The full scale of destruction is yet to be ascertained,” he added.
Tengwong further lamented that the attack happened despite earlier security alerts warning that some communities in Jos South Local Government Area were at risk of attacks.
“Security alerts had been issued prior to this incident, indicating that some communities were marked for attacks. Sadly, these warnings were allegedly ignored, and Bum community has now become the latest victim,” he said.
He noted that the incident adds to a growing pattern of violent assaults on rural communities in Plateau State, particularly during festive periods meant for peace, reflection, and unity.
“The continuous loss of innocent lives and destruction of property raises serious concerns about the safety of our people. Communities cannot continue to live in fear, especially at a time meant for celebration,” Tengwong stated, adding that the Berom Youths Moulder-Association is closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates.
Meanwhile, in a related development, residents of Ipele community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State were also thrown into panic in the early hours of Thursday, January 1, 2026, following an attack on a police station in the area.
Reports indicate that suspected terrorists stormed the community and set the police station ablaze, forcing residents to flee their homes as fear spread across the area. A video obtained by SUNTV Global Channel showed the police facility engulfed in flames, with several vehicles within the premises also burnt during the attack.
As of the time of filing this report, it remained unclear whether there were casualties or fatalities resulting from the Ondo attack. However, some individuals believed to be police officers were later seen at the scene assessing the level of damage after the assailants had fled.
Efforts to obtain official comments from the Ondo State Police Command were unsuccessful as of press time.
The latest incident has revived painful memories of previous terrorist attacks in Ondo State, including the June 5, 2022, assault on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, which claimed several lives and shocked the nation.
As communities across the country grapple with renewed violence at the start of 2026, Nigerians are once again calling on security agencies and the federal government to strengthen intelligence, respond swiftly to security alerts, and ensure the protection of lives and property nationwide.
