Eyewitnesses said the attackers invaded the community while residents were fast asleep, unleashing terror in a house-to-house assault that left women, children and elderly villagers particularly vulnerable.
Gun-wielding terrorists, locally dubbed as bandits, on Friday night launched a deadly attack on Bong village in Doemak District, Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing at least seven people and leaving several others injured, NaijaTrendCompass has gathered.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers invaded the community while residents were fast asleep, unleashing terror in a house-to-house assault that left women, children and elderly villagers particularly vulnerable.
Survivors described the assailants as heavily armed, striking swiftly and disappearing into the night.
A native of the area, Justin Mari, told NaijaTrendCompass that the casualty figure may rise, as some villagers are still unaccounted for.
“As I speak with you, I can confirm that more than seven persons have been killed. Many others sustained injuries, and some people are still missing,” Mari said.
The incident was confirmed by Danaan Cletus Sylvanus, Director of Press and Publicity to the Executive Chairman of Qua’an Pan Local Government Council, Christopher Audu Manship.
However, he said the exact number of fatalities could not yet be officially determined.
Sylvanus disclosed that the council chairman has condemned the attack and is working closely with security agencies to ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
He said the council is “doing everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book.”
The council boss, according to the statement, has also promised to keep the public informed as investigations and security operations continue.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the troops of the 3 Division, Nigerian Army, under the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), foiled a planned attack on communities in Plateau State, neutralising five suspected bandits and recovering arms and ammunition.
The military had said on Saturday that the operation was carried out in the early hours of January 1, during sustained offensive actions under Operation Peace Shield aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of movement within the Joint Operations Area (JOA).
According to a statement issued by Capt. Joshua Atu John, Acting Media Information Officer, JTF Operation Enduring Peace, troops acting on credible intelligence laid an ambush along the Dutsen Zaki–Odare Forest axis in Wase Local Government Area, where bandits were said to have mobilised with the intention of attacking adjoining communities.
The latest attack adds to growing concerns over worsening insecurity in Plateau State, where rural communities have repeatedly come under violent assaults, often with devastating human costs.
