Bandits kill 9 members of one family in Plateau community

Nine members of a single family were gruesomely murdered in Riyom Local Government Area after armed bandits and terrorist gangs attacked Wereng-Camp and Kum villages, the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) has said. 

This was contained in a press statement signed by Rwang Tengwong, National Publicity Secretary Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), made available to journalists in Jos the State Capital on Sunday.

According to the statement, “the attack began at about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, 11 July 2026, and lasted for over an hour into the early hours of Sunday, 12 July 2026.”

BYM said the assault was carried out by armed bandits and terrorist gangs from Fass area, one of the notorious terrorist enclaves in and around the Jol Community.

Those killed in the attack have been identified as:  Mrs. Celina James, 38, Mr. Yohanna James, 21, Mrs Janet Yohanna, 18, Baby Jennifer Yohanna, 3 months, Miss Sele James, 18, Miss Melody James, 16, Reto James, 10, Endurance James, 8, Peace James, 3  

“Mr. Pam Yohanna, 40, sustained life-threatening injuries and is currently battling for his life after the coordinated assault,” the statement added. 

The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), under the leadership of Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, expressed deep concern over the sustained pattern of violent attacks targeting predominantly Christian farming communities.

BYM said the latest massacre is yet another painful reminder of the recurring attacks that continue to claim the lives of innocent civilians across Plateau State and other parts of North-Central Nigeria. 

Entire families have been wiped out, villages repeatedly invaded, homes destroyed, and thousands of residents displaced from their ancestral communities.

“The frequency of these attacks, the scale of civilian casualties, and the destruction of homes and livelihoods underscore the urgent need for stronger protection of vulnerable communities and meaningful accountability for those responsible.” 

The Association calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities, dismantle terrorist hideouts, apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of these attacks, and ensure justice for victims and their families.

“We also urge the government to provide adequate humanitarian assistance and support for displaced persons whose lives have been devastated by the violence.”

“We appeal for independent monitoring and investigation of these recurring attacks, increased humanitarian assistance for affected communities, and sustained engagement with the Nigerian authorities to ensure the protection of civilians and accountability for those responsible.”

“The continued bloodshed in Plateau State must not be ignored. The lives of innocent men, women, and children deserve protection, justice, and lasting peace. The time for decisive action is now.”