At least eight persons were killed and more than ten others injured after gunmen attacked Gwon-Ajang village in the Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State at about 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, 2026. The assailants reportedly stormed the community and opened fire on residents who had gathered for a birthday celebration, throwing the area into chaos and forcing people to flee for safety.
Residents said the attackers arrived at the venue of the social gathering late in the night and began shooting indiscriminately at those in attendance. Several victims were reportedly killed on the spot, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack. The wounded were later evacuated to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Eyewitnesses described the incident as sudden and devastating. According to community sources, the victims were celebrating the birthday of a resident when the gunmen invaded the area. Panic reportedly spread across the village as people ran in different directions to escape the attackers.
A resident, Bishop Iliya, said the attackers shot at people on sight, leaving behind death and destruction. He lamented the recurring attacks on communities in Plateau State and urged security agencies to take urgent action to protect lives and property.
“The people were gathered for a birthday celebration when the gunmen arrived and started shooting at everything in sight. It is a painful and unfortunate situation for our community,” he said.
The attack was confirmed by the leadership of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, which said at least eight people lost their lives while more than ten others suffered serious injuries. The group expressed concern over the resurgence of violence in the area and called on security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for the attack.
Community leaders described the attack as one of the latest incidents in a troubling wave of violence affecting several communities across Plateau State. Residents said fear has continued to grow as attacks have become increasingly frequent, disrupting social and economic activities in affected areas.
Security personnel were reportedly deployed to the community shortly after the incident to restore calm and prevent further violence. As of the time of filing this report, no arrests had been officially announced, while investigations into the attack were ongoing.
The latest incident adds to a series of violent attacks recorded in parts of Plateau State in recent weeks, particularly in Barkin Ladi and neighbouring local government areas, where residents have repeatedly called for stronger security measures to stem the cycle of violence and prevent further loss of lives. Authorities have also been urged to intensify surveillance and strengthen community policing efforts to protect vulnerable communities from future attacks.
