Tears, anguish as eight Plateau attack victims get mass burial

There was an outpouring of tears, grief, and anguish as eight victims slaughtered by suspected Fulani bandits during last week’s attack on Gwon-Ajang village in Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State were given a mass burial on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026.

The victims were murdered while over 15 others sustained serious injuries when the heavily armed terrorists said to be over 100 stormed the village on Sunday, May 31, at about 10pm and shot at the residents who had retired for the night, killing the eight victims while many who tried to flee to safety were injured.

Eyewitnesses say the innocent victims were buried in an emotionally draining atmosphere attended by family members, community leaders, religious leaders and sympathisers, who gathered to mourn those killed by suspected gunmen during the attack on the rural community.

During the mass burial which drew emotional reactions, sympathizers called on the state government and security agencies to be proactive and set up measures to prevent a repeat of such unwarranted violence and repeated attacks on vulnerable farming communities, especially with the farming season setting in.

A former member of the House of Representatives, who represented Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, Peter Gyendeng, who spoke at the mass burial, lamented what he described as the recurring attacks on communities across the state by bandits and terrorists, saying residents had become weary of the continuous loss of lives.

Gyendeng, who described the attack as another painful reminder of the fragility of peace in the state, said the people were tired of such violence and wanton killings.

“We are sick and tired of being killed. We have been living in peace and have tried everything humanly possible to avoid engaging with anyone. We have never crossed into another community to attack anyone, yet these things continue to happen to us daily,” the former lawmaker said.

Gyendeng expressed frustration over the failure of security agencies to halt the cycle of violence despite the peaceful disposition of affected communities.

“It is painful. People stay in their communities and somebody comes to attack and kill them. You cannot even celebrate one good thing without fear. For how long will people continue to live this kind of life?” He queried.

He called on relevant government authorities to take urgent steps to halt the attacks and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Also speaking at the burial, the member representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ishaya Lalu, expressed sorrow over the killings and other recent attacks in other parts of the state.

Describing the renewed violence as painful, heartbreaking and unacceptable, Lalu said no community should be forced to live under fear and violence.

“I am deeply saddened by the continuous loss of innocent lives in our communities. These attacks are not only cruel but also a direct assault on our shared humanity and peaceful coexistence as a people,” he said.

Lalu urged security agencies to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities and bring perpetrators of the attacks to justice.