SUNTV GLOBAL REPORT
Panic and grief swept through residents of Doruwa Babuje in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday evening after heavily armed gunmen stormed a popular relaxation spot, killing at least nine people in a sudden and coordinated attack.
The assault, which occurred around 7:15pm, shattered what had been a peaceful weekend atmosphere as locals gathered to unwind. Witnesses said the attackers opened fire indiscriminately, forcing people to flee in different directions as chaos engulfed the area.
Residents described the attack as calculated and deeply troubling, noting that targeting a social hangout signals an escalation in the cycle of violence that has repeatedly plagued the Barkin Ladi axis in recent years.
Fresh Violence Despite Curfew
The killings came barely 24 hours after security forces imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in a nearby troubled village following rising tensions.
Despite the restriction, at least 10 residents were reportedly killed in overnight raids earlier on Sunday. Community leaders have since questioned the effectiveness of the security measures, arguing that attackers continue to operate freely.
Angry locals alleged that armed herders were behind the violence, accusing them of using a recurring strategy — grazing cattle on farmlands, poisoning their own livestock, and later blaming indigenous communities to justify retaliatory attacks.
One distressed resident said:
“They graze their cattle on our farms, poison their cows, then accuse us of ambush and return with deadly attacks.”
Calls To Label Attackers As Terrorists
A spokesperson for affected residents, speaking in a viral video, accused authorities of failing to properly classify the attackers as terrorists despite what he described as clear evidence of organised violence.
He also alleged that the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria was sympathetic to those responsible — a claim that could not be independently verified.
According to him, the community has reached a breaking point, warning that residents feel abandoned as killings continue unchecked.
Rising National Concern
The Plateau killings come amid broader fears over escalating insecurity across Nigeria.
Human rights group Amnesty International on Monday warned that the country’s security crisis is “getting out of hand,” citing a separate attack in Gwana district of Bauchi State where gunmen killed several villagers and abducted dozens.
The organisation described the violence as brutal and systematic, warning that rural communities remain increasingly vulnerable.
Growing Fear Among Residents
For many in Barkin Ladi, Sunday’s attack has deepened anxiety, with families mourning loved ones while questioning how gunmen continue to strike despite heavy security presence.
As investigations continue, residents say they fear further violence, calling on authorities to urgently restore safety and prevent another cycle of bloodshed.
