A Chief Superintendent of Police has been killed in an ambush along the Barkin Ladi–Bokkos road in Plateau State, while three civilians were reportedly killed in a separate attack in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
The police officer was reportedly responding to a distress call following an attack on a community on Tuesday when the security team came under attack. The officer was attached to Operation Rainbow, a security outfit operating in Plateau State.
The circumstances surrounding the officer’s death, including his identity, were not immediately available.
Three civilians were also reportedly killed at Rakok, also known as Kafi Abu, in Barkin Ladi LGA.
The incident reportedly occurred around the same period that Mwantiri, president of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, escaped an alleged ambush.
The latest attacks come amid heightened security concerns in parts of Plateau State, particularly Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas.
Plateau imposes curfew
The Plateau State Government on Monday imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu following renewed attacks and reprisal incidents in the affected communities.
Under the directive, residents are required to remain indoors between 6pm and 6am until further notice.
Joyce Lohya, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, said the measure was intended to give security agencies room to stabilise the affected areas, protect residents and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The government also ordered an immediate ban on the use of motorcycles in the three local government areas.
Security agencies were directed to enforce the curfew, while residents were advised to organise commercial, agricultural and other activities around the restricted hours.
Troops repel reported reprisal attack
The security situation had earlier deteriorated following the killing of a resident in Barkin Ladi.
Military sources said troops recently responded to reports of an attack on two residents at about 8pm near Marit Junction.
One of the victims, identified as 53-year-old Rev. Andy Samuel, was reportedly shot dead. The second victim sustained injuries and was taken to a general hospital for treatment.
According to the military sources, troops came under attack shortly after leaving the hospital.
The attackers were suspected by the authorities to be carrying out a reprisal attack following earlier violence reported in Dorowa Babuje, Sherum, Maraban Kantoma and Lajam communities in Barkin Ladi LGA.
Reinforcements from Sector 8, supported by other security personnel and Nigerian Air Force Super Tucano aircraft, were deployed in response.
The military said the troops repelled the attackers and prevented the violence from spreading to other communities.
The latest incidents have led to increased security deployments and patrols across the affected areas as authorities work to contain further attacks and reprisal violence.
