How Berom Militia Attack Fulani Traders in Mass Shooting Along Bukuru Expressway, Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected Berom militia reportedly opened fire on a vehicle conveying Fulani traders returning from Kara Market along the Bukuru Expressway in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing one person and injuring seven others.
The attack occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2026, around the Total Filling Station Roundabout, Bukuru, when the open-body vehicle carrying about 20 passengers came under sporadic gunfire.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), deployed in Bukuru, responded to the shooting and found eight victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
One of the victims, identified as Musa Abubakar, was confirmed dead, while Ibrahim Aliyu, Abdullahi Aliyu, Abdullahi Saidu, Abdussalam Saidu, Faisal Gambo, Abdussalam Yau and Adam Umar sustained injuries.
The victims were evacuated to the 3 Division Hospital for medical treatment, while security personnel launched efforts to track down the fleeing attackers.
The Plateau State Police Command also confirmed the shooting, saying preliminary investigation showed that the vehicle was conveying traders returning from Kara Market.
The Command said seven injured victims had so far been traced to the Military Clinic at Rukuba Barracks, where they were receiving treatment.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ayodeji Faniyan, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Investigations to take full charge of the investigation and ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
The latest shooting has raised serious concerns over emerging pattern of attacks against Fulani civilians and traders around the Jos-Bukuru axis.
The incident came after two other reported attacks involving Fulani communities, including an earlier attack in which armed men dressed in black reportedly invaded a Fulani settlement, killed two children and shot about 38 cattle.
Another reported attack targeted Fulani traders returning from a livestock market, further heightening fears among members of the community who now say they feel increasingly vulnerable of attack by elements from the host local communities.
The apparent concentration of attacks against members of one ethnic community has further drawn attention of whether militia elements could be exploiting existing ethnic tensions in Plateau to deliberately inflict mass casualties.
Security analysts told Zagazola Makama that the repeated attacks, particularly those involving groups of civilians travelling together, warrant deeper intelligence investigation into tracking the perpetrators.
Leaving this to slide as just another attack could add another dangerous layer to the Plateau conflict, as targeted attacks against individuals from a particular ethnic community risk creating an environment in which ordinary civilians begin to feel unsafe regardless of where they travel or carry out lawful activities.
