There was an outpouring of grief on Monday evening as eight victims of the recent attack on Gwon-Ajang village in Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State were laid to rest amid tears, mourning and renewed calls for urgent government intervention to halt recurring violence in the state.
The victims were buried in an emotional ceremony attended by family members, community leaders, religious leaders and sympathisers, who gathered to mourn those killed by suspected gunmen during the attack on the rural community.
LEADERSHIP reports that beyond the eight persons killed, more than 15 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the assault, further heightening fears over worsening insecurity in parts of Plateau State.
The mass burial drew emotional reactions from residents who lamented the repeated attacks on farming communities, describing the incident as yet another painful reminder of the fragility of peace in the area.
Speaking during the burial, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, Hon. Peter Gyendeng, expressed frustration over the continued killings, saying residents were exhausted by persistent violence despite their peaceful disposition.
“We are sick and tired of being killed. We have been living in peace and have tried everything humanly possible not to engage anybody,” Gyendeng said.
He insisted that affected communities had not engaged in retaliatory attacks, stressing that they remained peaceful despite repeated assaults.
“We have never crossed into another community to attack anyone, yet these things continue to happen to us on a daily basis,” he added.
Gyendeng lamented what he described as the inability of authorities to end the cycle of violence, noting that residents now live in constant fear even during social and community events.
“It is painful. People stay in their communities and somebody comes to attack and kill them. You cannot even celebrate one good thing without fear. For how long will people continue to live this kind of life?” he asked.
He called on security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts to stop the killings and ensure that perpetrators are identified and prosecuted.
Also speaking, the member representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ishaya David Lalu, described the attack as heartbreaking and unacceptable, urging urgent action to protect vulnerable communities.
“These attacks are not only cruel but also a direct assault on our shared humanity and peaceful coexistence as a people,” Lalu said.
He urged security agencies to strengthen their operations and ensure that those behind the attacks are brought to justice.
In his remarks, the National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, described the security situation in the area as alarming, warning that many rural communities remain exposed due to weak security presence.
He said residents often rely on local vigilante groups who lack the capacity and equipment to confront heavily armed attackers.
Mwantiri called on the federal government to deploy more security personnel to vulnerable communities and strengthen protection measures to prevent further attacks.
He also warned of what he described as a “conspiracy of silence” surrounding repeated violence in rural areas, urging authorities to take decisive action and seek broader collaboration in addressing insecurity and terrorism.
