Plateau community recovers police officer’s corpse, six others after terror attack

Plateau State has once again been plunged into mourning following coordinated attacks by armed assailants in Barkin Ladi, resulting in the recovery of seven bodies, including that of a police officer. The grim discovery, made early Sunday morning, underscores the persistent and brutal insecurity plaguing the region, despite the visible presence of security checkpoints.

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As at 1:00 a.m. today (Sunday), no fewer than seven corpses, including that of a police officer, have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary, while six other persons who sustained varying degrees of injuries are currently receiving medical attention.

The attacks, which reportedly occurred simultaneously across several communities—Sabon Layi, Rakung, Gangare, and the General Hospital area—have left residents in a state of constant fear and trauma. The Berom Youth Moulders Association, in a statement confirming the recovery of bodies and the treatment of injured individuals, expressed a profound lack of confidence in the security commanders, citing consistent failures and negligence in protecting lives and property.

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The attacks, which occurred simultaneously in areas including Sabon Layi, Rakung, Gangare, and the General Hospital area (Zat and Bet), have once again exposed the helplessness of residents despite the heavy presence of security checkpoints and personnel across Barkin Ladi town.

This incident highlights a critical failure in the state's security apparatus and raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current strategies. The association's criticism extends to the Plateau State Government, questioning the absence of a dedicated Ministry of Homeland Security and Humanitarian Services to coordinate proactive security policies and emergency responses. The perceived lack of meaningful intervention from agencies like the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency further exacerbates the suffering of affected communities, who are often left to manage the aftermath of such terror alone.

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It is deeply disturbing that communities continue to come under coordinated attacks in broad daylight and at night without any swift or effective response from security operatives.