Two persons have been confirmed dead following a late-night ambush by unidentified gunmen in Talma Village, Ngel District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, in what has once again raised concerns over persistent insecurity in parts of the state.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on Monday when the victims, along with others, were said to be travelling on motorcycles towards a cattle pen in the area. According to eyewitness accounts, the group was suddenly intercepted by armed men who opened fire without warning, throwing the travellers into panic and chaos.
The victims were identified as Sadiq Muhammad, 28, and Mas’ud Abdullahi, 29.
Both men were said to have been fatally struck during the attack and died at the scene before help could arrive.
A survivor of the attack, who escaped by narrowly evading the gunfire, recounted that the assailants emerged unexpectedly and began shooting directly at the group.
The survivor reportedly abandoned his motorcycle and fled into nearby bushes, from where he later made contact with local authorities and security personnel to report the incident.
Security operatives were subsequently mobilised to the scene of the attack, where the bodies of the deceased were recovered. The remains were later released to their families for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Community members described the incident as shocking and unprovoked, noting that the victims were engaged in their normal daily activities at the time of the attack. The area has reportedly experienced intermittent security challenges in recent years, with residents often calling for increased patrols and stronger protection from security agencies.
The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Plateau State condemned the killings, describing them as unacceptable and calling on relevant security authorities to ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice. He also urged calm among residents, stressing the need to avoid reprisals or escalation of tensions in the affected communities.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies in Plateau State had yet to issue an official statement regarding the attack.
However, local sources said efforts were underway to assess the situation and prevent possible further violence in the area.
The incident adds to a series of violent attacks recorded in parts of Plateau State in recent years, often linked to unclear motives and involving rural communities.
Such incidents have contributed to heightened tensions between different groups and increased calls from stakeholders for improved intelligence gathering, community policing, and rapid response mechanisms.
Residents of Jos South Local Government Area have continued to express concern over recurring security breaches, particularly in rural settlements and farming or grazing routes, where response time from security operatives is often reported to be slow due to difficult terrain and limited infrastructure.
Meanwhile, community leaders have appealed for restraint and cooperation with security agencies, emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence among all groups in the area. They also called for a thorough investigation into the attack to ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence.
The Plateau State government is expected to respond in due course as pressure mounts on authorities to address the underlying security challenges affecting rural communities in the state.
For now, the killings have left the affected families in mourning and reignited debate over safety in rural parts of Jos South, where residents say they continue to live with uncertainty despite ongoing security interventions. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
