Posted on 06/03/2026 8:11:02 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie
Suspected Fulani gunmen attacked a Christian farming community in central Nigeria’s Plateau state on Sunday evening, killing eight Christians and injuring at least 15 others, according to residents and government officials.
The attack occurred in Gwomjang, a predominantly Christian village in Kadunu Ward of Mangu Local Government Area, near the town of Gindiri. The community lies within Nigeria’s Middle Belt. This region has experienced years of violence involving armed attacks on rural communities, disputes over land use, and growing insecurity affecting farmers and civilians.
Residents said the attackers entered the village at about 7:30 p.m. on May 31, shortly after church activities had ended. According to local witnesses, many residents were returning to their homes following evening worship services and a women’s prayer meeting when gunfire erupted.
“After church service and after the women had finished their prayer meeting, people were returning to their homes as it was getting dark,” said Dung Ezekiel Sunday, the youth leader of Gwomjang and an eyewitness to the attack. “At that time, gunshots were heard in the community.”
Killed as They Fled
According to community leaders, the gunmen opened fire on civilians before fleeing the area. Four men and four women were killed, while the 15 wounded sustained injuries ranging from gunshot wounds to other trauma-related injuries. Survivors were rushed to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment.
“The entire community was thrown into confusion,” Ezekiel said. “From what we saw during the incident, the attackers were believed to be Fulani men. We have lived with our neighbors for many years, and in the past, we maintained peaceful relations with them.”
Residents said the attackers approached from the direction of a nearby settlement and retreated along the same route after carrying out the assault. Villagers contacted soldiers stationed in the area shortly after the attack began, but residents said security personnel arrived after the gunmen had already fled.
“We contacted soldiers stationed in Kadunuwa, but they arrived around 10 p.m., after the attackers had already left,” Ezekiel said.
The attack comes amid continuing security concerns in Plateau state, where predominantly Christian farming communities have repeatedly reported deadly attacks by armed groups. Human rights organizations, religious freedom advocates, and local leaders have documented numerous incidents in which villages were attacked, residents killed, and homes destroyed.
On Monday, officials from Mangu Local Government visited the community to meet with grieving families and injured survivors.
The delegation was sent by Mangu Local Government Chairman Emmanuel Bala Mwolpun and was led by Deputy Chairman Yakwen Nuhu Lawal. Officials also visited injured victims receiving treatment at local medical facilities.
Following a briefing from medical personnel, Lawal directed that patients requiring care be transferred to Jos University Teaching Hospital, one of the region’s largest referral hospitals.
Local government authorities also announced that they would cover all medical expenses for those injured during the attack.
During his visit to the community, Lawal urged residents to improve cooperation with security agencies and to report suspicious activities promptly.
“We must not wait for the government alone to come to our rescue,” Lawal said. “Report any suspicious movement or activity to security agencies immediately so that prompt action can be taken.”
A Community in Mourning
Later, during a mass burial service attended by local officials, clergy, and community members, Lawal said he had witnessed the burial of the eight Christians killed in the attack. He also noted that additional fatalities had been recorded in related attacks affecting nearby communities.
Addressing mourners, Lawal encouraged residents to remain watchful and strengthen local security awareness.
“One of the challenges we face is that after attacks occur, no one can clearly tell us where the attackers came from or the routes they used,” he said. “We need greater vigilance, better information sharing, and stronger community cooperation.”
Community leaders expressed appreciation for the local government’s response, particularly its decision to assume responsibility for the treatment costs of injured survivors. Village representatives thanked officials for visiting the community shortly after the attack, meeting with affected families, and helping those receiving medical care.
At the same time, residents renewed calls for stronger security measures and accountability for perpetrators of violence.
“We are calling on the government to take decisive action to stop these attacks,” Ezekiel said. “Many times, after such incidents, we hear reports that suspects have been arrested, but later we do not hear what becomes of those cases.”
He also appealed for international attention to the security challenges facing vulnerable communities in Plateau state.
“We are appealing for assistance from the Nigerian government and the international community so that our people can be protected and our communities can live in peace and security,” he said.
The attack occurred during the planting season, a critical period for farming communities across Plateau state. Many residents depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, and recurring violence has disrupted farming activities, displaced families, and heightened fears among rural populations.
According to local officials, survivors continue to receive treatment while families mourn those killed in the attack. Community members say they hope authorities will strengthen security measures, investigate the incident, and bring those responsible to justice.
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