No fewer than 13 persons were killed in separate attacks by suspected gunmen on communities in the Jos South, Mangu and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State on Sunday night.
Nine of the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when suspected terrorists opened fire on their vehicle at Dungus community in Jos South Local Government Area.
The other four victims were killed in separate attacks in Mangu and Riyom local government areas.
The spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the Dungus attack to The PUNCH in Jos on Monday, said the incident occurred at about 9.40pm.
He said the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on their vehicle.
He said, “Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives.”
Tengwong added that some passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to hospitals, where some later died.
“It was a vehicle carrying passengers to Jos. The attackers opened fire on them and some of the victims were killed,” he said.
A resident of the community, Musa Dauda, also confirmed the attack, saying some of the injured passengers died while receiving treatment.
“Some of the passengers who were injured were taken to the hospital, but some of them died while receiving treatment. Others are still in the hospital receiving treatment,” Dauda said.
Meanwhile, in Mangu Local Government Area, suspected terrorists reportedly attacked Vodni in Pushit District during the night, killing two persons.
Four others sustained gunshot injuries in the attack and were receiving treatment at a hospital in Mangu town.
Also in Riyom Local Government Area, two persons were reportedly killed at Tahoos in a separate attack around the same period.
The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, and the Media Officer, Operation Enduring Peace, Chinonso Oteh, had yet to respond to enquiries sent by our correspondent on the incidents as of the time of filing this report.
However, the Plateau State Government has condemned the attacks which claimed over 13 lives, urging residents not to resort to reprisals.
In a statement issued on Monday, by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the government said it “has received with grave concern reports of fresh attacks on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in parts of Mangu Local Government Area, resulting in the loss of lives and injuries to citizens. Also a reported tragic incidence at Dungus Junction, Kuru Jos South Local Government Area on Sunday, September 13, 2026.”
It described the incidents as “deeply disturbing, especially at a time when the state government, in collaboration with security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders, has continued to strengthen the peace and security architecture of the state through sustained dialogue, intelligence sharing, community engagement and other proactive measures.”
It appealed directly to citizens in affected areas to cooperate with security agencies.
“Government also appeals to citizens, particularly residents of communities affected by insecurity, to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information that can assist in preventing attacks and apprehending perpetrators,” the statement said.