Troops arrest 9 suspected Berom militia responsible for targeted killings, recover arms and ammunition in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have arrested nine suspected Berom militia members responsible for targeted killings, and recovered arms and ammunition following an operation in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, amid ongoing security concerns linked to recurring attacks and cycles of violence in the area.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that  the suspects were arrested at about 0135 hours on April 18, 2026, when troops deployed at Ganawuri responded to reports of suspected criminal movement towards the Danwal general area.

The troops intercepted and apprehended the suspects, who were found with blood stains on their bodies, raising suspicion of recent involvement in silent killings. 

Those arrested were identified as Mr. Gyang Dantoro, Mr. Samson Davou, Mr. Choji Yakubu, Mr. Vincent Adamu, Mr. Pam Dalyop, Mr. Femi Badung, Mr. Jacob Musa and Mr. Choji Chaga, all residents of Danwal and reportedly of Berom extraction.

Items recovered from them include three motorcycles, one pistol, one submachine gun, one locally made revolver rifle, 20 rounds of pistol ammunition, and one locally fabricated rifle, among other items. 

The arrest comes against the backdrop of sustained insecurity in parts of Plateau State, where communities in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu and surrounding areas have witnessed repeated incidents of violent attacks and reprisals. Across this flashpoints, the patterns have consistent which suggest that perpetrators of violence are not faceless outsiders operating in isolation. 

Sources said that the  suspects were  currently in custody providing information are responsible for carrying out series of attacks in recent months which has escalated violence and reprisals attacks in plateau state. 

In recent months, security reports have indicated a pattern of violence involving Fulani Bandits and armed elements of the Berom operating within local communities.

The most recent development occurred on April 13 at about 0700 hrs, when troops under Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), conducted a search-and-rescue operation in Ariri and Kwasha villages of Bassa LGA following reports of a missing herder. During the operation, troops discovered the corpse of the herder and recovered 32 cattle alive, while three others were found dead. The remains and livestock were handed over to community leaders.

On the same day, troops also responded to intelligence on an illegal settlers’ camp in Ungwan Doki, Riyom LGA, where four suspected illegal migrants were arrested. On April 12, at about 1440 hrs, troops restored calm after a clash between farmers and herders in Rakum village, Barkin Ladi LGA. Five locals, two herders, and a police officer sustained injuries, after being attacked by Berom Militia while one suspect was arrested.

Earlier at about 1222 hrs in Rasa village, troops foiled another attack on a herder by suspected armed Berom elements and evacuated the injured victim to hospital. At about 2100 hrs, troops responded to sporadic gunfire along Hukke–Rewienko road in Bassa LGA, repelling attackers and rescuing an injured civilian.

In a related development, at about 1800 hrs, troops foiled an attempted cattle rustling incident in Kpashio village, recovering 92 cattle reportedly abandoned by fleeing suspects. The owner of the livestock was either killed and buried in shallow grave or escaped the assault. 

Within the same period Armed Berom Militia engaged troops of Operation Enduring Peace in a heavy gun battle in Barkin Ladi. the troops gun down five of the attackers. Later that same day, the corpses were hastily buried by the community to avoid scrutiny due to the identity of the attackers. 

On April 11 at about 2145 hrs, troops responded to an ambush in Tanjol community, where a 21-year-old resident, Joseph Irmiya, was attacked by Fulani bandits  later died from injuries.

Shortly after, troops intercepted an attempted attack on Rim community by Berom militants, where one youth sustained gunshot wounds. Separately, troops conducting stop-and-search operations in Kuru, Jos South LGA at about 2030 hrs arrested two suspects in possession of a pistol and ammunition.

On April 9 at about 2230 hrs, suspected Fulani bandits attacked Mbwelle village in Bokkos LGA, killing eight residents, including Habila Istifanus (38), Hassan Istifanus (31), Iliya Mangut (70), Sunday Gideon (31), Innocent Banabas (20), Lucky Titus (38), Wisdom Lucky (15), and Bwehsun Hassan (25).

Earlier on April 9, troops under Operation Wutan Daji  stormed Fulani bandits enclave at Wase and Kanam LGAs, neutralising 13 them during the offensive along identified corridors in Daba and Seri villages. 

On April 8, troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) foiled an attack on commuters along the Razat–Kafi Abu road in Barkin Ladi LGA, where one civilian was killed and two others injured.

Later the same day, troops repelled a militia attack along the same axis and conducted a cordon-and-search operation in Suma Suga Takwok, recovering two AK-47 rifles, two magazines, and five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. 

In Riyom LGA, one civilian was killed in an ambush along the Dagbam bridge axis on the GOL–HOSS–Bwei road, while two others escaped unhurt. Troops also foiled an attack on Jol community on April 7, forcing the assailants to retreat without casualties. 

Similarly, troops rescued one victim and recovered ammunition following an earlier attack in Dum village, Bachi District, where another victim was found dead. Security operatives also intercepted 16 stray cattle grazing on farmland in Tahoss community, an incident linked to recurring disputes between farmers and herders.

 On April 5, a Fulani herder, identified as Abubakar Hababe (40), was found dead in Riyom LGA in what sources described as a reprisal attack. The killing by suspected Berom Militia was reportedly linked to earlier incidents, including the attack on an illegal mining site in Gyel village where three miners were killed.

Other incidents include the discovery of the body of a 30-year-old herder, Shafiyu, in Jos South LGA, and the killing of a Fulani boy, Abdullahi Mohammed, in Mangu LGA.

Tensions were escalated since March 28, after the assassination of a Fulani leader, Alhaji Bilyaminu Julde, the Ardo of Gindiri in Barkin Ladi LGA.

Troops have continued operations across flashpoints in Riyom and neighbouring LGAs, with authorities maintaining that sustained patrols, arrests and recovery of arms are aimed at restoring lasting peace in the area.