Plateau Security Alert: Governor Mutfwang Orders Manhunt After Deadly Barkin Ladi Attacks!
Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi (Journalist)| Sele Media Africa
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has issued a directive for intensified security operations and a focused manhunt following a deadly attack in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, which left at least 10 people dead and several others injured. The development underscores rising concern over recurring violence in the North‑Central Nigerian state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, and signed by the Commissioner for Information Joyce Ramnap, Governor Mutfwang condemned the “barbaric and senseless” killings in the Ratatis (Dorowa Babuje) community late on Sunday, emphasizing the urgent need to apprehend the perpetrators and protect vulnerable communities.
Details of the Attacks and Government Response
According to multiple reports from established Nigerian media outlets, armed assailants widely described as suspected Fulani militia or bandits attacked Ratatis in the early evening, indiscriminately firing on residents. Initial reports indicated seven deaths and three critically injured, later confirmed to total 10 fatalities.
Governor Mutfwang has ordered military and police forces to strengthen patrols, enhance security presence, and ensure that perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted. He also extended condolences to the families of the victims and urged local communities to cooperate with security operations to prevent further attacks.
Public Outrage and Community Action
The killings have sparked widespread outrage. Residents, particularly youths of Barkin Ladi, blocked the main highway to Jos in protest, demanding immediate action and justice for the victims. Demonstrators pledged to maintain their blockade until authorities respond decisively.
Community leaders, including the Berom Youth Moulders Association, called on security agencies to act decisively to protect rural communities that have repeatedly suffered from violent attacks.
Plateau State’s Ongoing Security Challenges
The Barkin Ladi killings are part of a long-standing pattern of communal violence and armed attacks in Plateau State, where cycles of killings, reprisals, and displacement have persisted for years. Past incidents, including mass casualties during Christmas Eve attacks in 2023, reflect the deep-seated security challenges in the region.
Humanitarian groups and civil society organizations have consistently warned that the insecurity significantly impacts livelihoods, disrupts communities, and strains inter-communal relations, calling for sustained federal and state intervention.
Moving Forward: Can Security Efforts Stem Violence?
As Plateau grapples with recurring threats, the government’s intensified security measures aim to restore public confidence and deter further bloodshed. However, analysts stress that long-term peace will require a holistic approach, combining political, social, and economic strategies alongside immediate security interventions.
The success of the manhunt and strengthened patrols will be a key test of Plateau State’s capacity to safeguard its residents and deliver justice to victims of the latest attacks.
Sources
Punch
TheCable
African Press
Independent Newspaper Nigeria
Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.
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