*Recover arms, ammunition
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have arrested nine suspected militia men who are allegedly responsible for the targeted killings, and recovered arms and ammunition from them, following an operation in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, amid on-going security concerns linked to recurring attacks and cycles of violence in the area.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were arrested at about 0135 hours on April 18, 2026, when troops deployed at Ganawuri responded to reports of suspected criminal movement towards the Danwal general area.
The troops intercepted and apprehended the suspects, who were found with blood stains on their bodies, raising suspicion of recent involvement in silent killings.
Those arrested were identified as Mr. Gyang Dantoro, Mr. Samson Davou, Mr. Choji Yakubu, Mr. Vincent Adamu, Mr. Pam Dalyop, Mr. Femi Badung, Mr. Jacob Musa and Mr. Choji Chaga, all residents of Danwal and reportedly of Berom extraction.
Items recovered from them included three motorcycles, one pistol, one submachine gun, one locally made revolver rifle, 20 rounds of pistol ammunition, and one locally fabricated rifle, among other items.
The arrest comes against the backdrop of sustained insecurity in parts of Plateau State, where communities in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu and surrounding areas have witnessed repeated incidents of violent attacks and reprisals.
Across these flashpoints, the patterns have been consistent, which suggest that perpetrators of violence are not faceless outsiders operating in isolation.
Sources said that the suspects are currently in custody, providing information amd are seen to ne responsible for carrying out series of attacks in recent months which has escalated violence and reprisals attacks in Plateau state.
In recent months, security reports have indicated a pattern of violence involving Fulani Bandits and armed elements of the Berom origin, operating within local communities.
The most recent development occurred on April 13th at about 0700 hrs, when troops under Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), conducted a search-and-rescue operation in Ariri and Kwasha villages of Bassa LGA following reports of a missing herder.
During the operation, troops discovered the corpse of the herder and recovered 32 cattle alive, while three others were found dead.
The remains and livestock were handed over to the community leaders.
On the same day, troops also responded to intelligence on an illegal settlers’ camp in Ungwan Doki, Riyom LGA, where four suspected illegal migrants were arrested.
On April 12, at about 1440 hrs, troops restored calm after a clash between farmers and herders in Rakum village, Barkin Ladi LGA.
Five locals, two herders, and a police officer sustained injuries, after being attacked by Berom militia, while one suspect was arrested.
Earlier, at about 1222 hrs in Rasa village, troops foiled another attack on a herder by suspected armed Berom elements and evacuated the injured victim to the hospital.
At about 2100 hrs, troops responded to sporadic gunfire along Hukke–Rewienko road in Bassa LGA, repelling attackers and rescuing an injured civilian.
In a related development, at about 1800 hrs, troops foiled an attempted cattle rustling incident in Kpashio village, recovering 92 cattle reportedly abandoned by fleeing suspects.
The owner of the livestock was either killed and buried in a shallow grave or escaped the assault.
Within the same period, armed militia engaged troops of Operation Enduring Peace in a heavy gun battle in Barkin Ladi, but the troops gunned down five of the attackers.
Later that same day, the corpses were hastily buried by the community to avoid scrutiny due to the identity of the attackers.
On April 11th at about 2145 hrs, troops responded to an ambush in Tanjol community, where a 21-year-old resident, named Joseph Irmiya, was attacked by Fulani bandits, and later died from the injuries inflicted on him.
Shortly after, troops intercepted an attempted attack on Rim community by militants, where one youth sustained gunshot wounds.
Separately, troops conducting stop-and-search operations in Kuru, Jos South LGA, at about 2030 hrs, arrested two suspects in possession of a pistol and ammunition.
On April 9th at about 2230 hrs, suspected Fulani bandits attacked Mbwelle village in Bokkos LGA, killing eight residents, including Habila Istifanus (38), Hassan Istifanus (31), Iliya Mangut (70), Sunday Gideon (31), Innocent Banabas (20), Lucky Titus (38), Wisdom Lucky (15), and Bwehsun Hassan (25).
On April 8th, troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) foiled an attack on commuters along the Razat–Kafi Abu road in Barkin Ladi LGA, where one civilian was killed and two others injured.
Later the same day, troops repelled a militia attack along the same axis and conducted a cordon-and-search operation in Suma Suga Takwok, recovering two AK-47 rifles, two magazines, and five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Earlier, on April 9th, troops under Operation Wutan Daji, stormed Fulani bandits enclave at Wase and Kanam LGAs, neutralising 13 them during the offensive along with identified corridors in Daba and Seri villages.
In Riyom LGA, one civilian was killed in an ambush along the Dagbam bridge axis on the GOL–HOSS–Bwei road, while two others escaped unhurt.
Troops also foiled an attack on Jol community on April 7th, forcing the assailants to retreat without casualties.
Similarly, troops rescued one victim and recovered ammunition following an earlier attack in Dum village, Bachi District, where another victim was found dead.
Security operatives also intercepted 16 stray cattle grazing on farmland in Tahoss community, an incident linked to recurring disputes between farmers and herders.
On April 5th, a Fulani herder, identified as Abubakar Hababe (40), was found dead in Riyom LGA in what sources described as a reprisal attack.
The killing by suspected Berom militia was reportedly linked to earlier incidents, including the attack on an illegal mining site in Gyel village where three miners were killed.
Other incidents included the discovery of the body of a 30-year-old herder, Shafiyu, in Jos South LGA, and the killing of a Fulani boy, Abdullahi Mohammed, in Mangu LGA.
Tensions were escalated since March 28tha, after the assassination of a Fulani leader, Alhaji Bilyaminu Julde, the Ardo of Gindiri in Mangu LGA of the state.
Troops have continued operations across flashpoints in Riyom and neighbouring LGAs, with authorities maintaining that sustained patrols, arrests and recovery of arms are aimed at restoring lasting peace in the area.
