The death toll from a fresh wave of violent attacks in Plateau State has climbed to 10, following the recovery of additional bodies from affected communities in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas on Monday, February 23, 2026.
The latest violence began on Sunday night, February 22, 2026, when gunmen stormed Dorowa Babuje (also referred to as Dorowa or Douruwa Babuje) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. The assault targeted Ratatis community, reportedly at a local bar or relaxation spot, around 7:27 p.m., unleashing sporadic gunfire that left several residents dead and others wounded.
Rwang Tengwong, a community leader and spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYMA), confirmed the details to journalists. He stated that seven persons were initially killed in the Dorowa Babuje attack, with three others sustaining serious injuries. The injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment and are still recovering.
On Monday morning, two more bodies of community members were recovered from the Dorowa Babuje area, bringing the toll there to nine. Simultaneously, another individual was shot dead in Jol community, Riyom Local Government Area, in what appeared to be a related or near-simultaneous incident. This raised the overall confirmed fatalities to 10.
Tengwong described the Dorowa Babuje attackers as "armed Fulani terrorists," attributing the violence to ongoing communal tensions in the region. The Berom Youth Moulders Association, representing the indigenous Berom people, has repeatedly highlighted such incidents as targeted assaults on their communities.
The attacks have sparked widespread outrage, prompting youths and women in Barkin Ladi to block the Jos highway in protest on Monday. Demonstrators demanded an end to the killings, justice for victims, and improved security measures. Reports from Punch and other outlets noted that protesters rejected appeals to disperse, expressing frustration over recurring violence in the area.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Plateau State Police Command proved unsuccessful as of Monday, with attempts to reach spokesperson DSP Alfred Alabo yielding no response. No arrests or further details on the perpetrators have been publicly announced by authorities.
This incident adds to the persistent cycle of insecurity in Plateau State's southern zones, particularly Barkin Ladi and Riyom, where farmer-herder clashes, resource disputes, and suspected militia activities have claimed numerous lives in recent years. Similar attacks in the region often involve ambushes, reprisals, and allegations of ethnic targeting, though mutual accusations persist between communities.
The violence comes amid broader security challenges in Nigeria's Middle Belt, with Plateau frequently experiencing such flare-ups despite military deployments and peacebuilding initiatives. Community leaders and residents have called for urgent federal and state intervention to halt the killings, restore calm, and address root causes such as land disputes and inadequate policing.
As investigations continue, the recovery of bodies and reports of injuries highlight the devastating human cost of the unrest. Local hospitals remain overwhelmed with victims, while displaced families and heightened tensions continue to strain community relations.
The Plateau State government and security agencies are yet to issue a detailed statement on the latest attacks, though past responses have included condemnations, deployments, and appeals for calm. Stakeholders urge swift action to prevent escalation and further loss of life in the affected areas.
