Gunmen Kill 13, Injure Dozens, Destroy Farmlands in Coordinated Attacks on Plateau Villages

The people of Plateau State have been plunged into grief following a devastating invasion by suspected Fulani terrorists across two villages in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) on Tuesday night, October 14, 2025, which left 13 people dead and numerous others injured, with farmlands also destroyed.

Dependable NG reports that the attacks targeted Rachas village in Heipang District and Rawuru village in Fan District. The Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi LGA, Stephen Gyang Pwajok, confirmed the coordinated nature of the invasions while speaking at the mass burial of the victims in Rachas village on Wednesday.

Pwajok condemned the killings as a heinous act, describing the attacks as unprovoked. He drew attention to what he termed as past attempts by the Fulani to eliminate indigenes and seize their ancestral lands. While commiserating with the bereaved families, the Chairman promised that the government is exploring all avenues to restore and sustain peace in the area.

The District Head of Heipang, Da Paul Tadi-Tok, called for decisive action to prevent recurrence, urging the government and security agencies to restrict herders from grazing in non-resident communities to reduce friction and stop infiltration by attackers. He also appealed for the strengthening of Operation Rainbow, the state-owned community security outfit.

In response, the Security Adviser to Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Brigadier General Shippi Gakji Goshwe (Rtd.), assured the community that the government is working to improve community-based security operations. Goshwe disclosed that Operation Rainbow is currently undergoing a recruitment drive to train and equip new personnel to support conventional security agencies in addressing the ongoing wave of attacks across the state.