Gunmen suspected to be members of Fulani militant groups have reportedly killed three individuals, including a retired police officer, Ayuba Bako, during attacks on two communities in Plateau State.
The attacks took place on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Farin-Lamba, Jos South Local Government Area, and Dahot village, part of the Wereng Community in Riyom Local Government Area.
The Berom Youths Moulder-Association confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Secretary General, Bature Adazaram, on behalf of the association’s President, Solomon Mwantiri.
According to the statement, the victims included retired officer Ayuba Bako and 27-year-old James Bulus Kwanga, who were killed in Farin-Lamba, while 23-year-old Ishaya Davou Bature was killed in Dahot village.
The attackers reportedly used a Peugeot 406 vehicle, while others approached on footpaths, taking up strategic positions before launching their assault.
“In another tragic development, armed assailants suspected to be Fulani militants struck Farin-Lamba in Jos South LGA and Dahot village in the Wereng Community, Riyom LGA, around 9:00 PM on Friday, May 23, 2025, killing two people in Farin-Lamba and one in Wereng,” the statement read.
“Among the victims in Farin-Lamba was retired police officer Ayuba Bako, while the other two were Mr. James Bulus Kwanga, aged 27, and Mr. Ishaya Davou Bature, aged 23.”
Eyewitness accounts indicated that some attackers arrived in a Peugeot 406 vehicle, while others approached through footpaths and strategically positioned themselves before launching the attacks.
The Berom Youths Moulder-Association called on government authorities to take urgent and effective action to tackle the escalating insecurity. They also urged that, if the government fails, communities should be empowered to defend themselves against the recurring assaults, often carried out by individuals posing as Fulani herdsmen.
The group pointed out that such violent incidents typically increase during the rainy season, posing a serious threat to national security.
The statement also referenced an earlier unverified security alert warning that gunmen had mobilized from Rankum (Mahanga) and Fass areas, prompting Jol, Rim, and Bachi communities to remain on high alert. However, the attack instead struck the more distant Farin-Lamba and Dahot villages, catching residents off-guard.
“These patterns and similar incidents are consistent with the tactics of the attackers, particularly during the rainy or festive seasons, continuously undermining national security,” the statement concluded.
