By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
No fewer than nine farmers were killed and three others injured on Wednesday night when gunmen attacked Bum community in Chugwi, Vwang District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack, which occurred at about 11:00 p.m., took residents by surprise as most of the victims were asleep, once again raising concerns over the worsening security situation in rural communities across the state.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, the spokesperson of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, said the bodies of the deceased had been recovered, while search and rescue operations were still ongoing.
Tengwong said the injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
“According to information from local sources, this tragic incident occurred despite earlier security alerts warning that several communities in Jos South Local Government Area were under threat of possible attacks,” he said.
He described the attack as part of a renewed wave of violence targeting innocent rural dwellers in Plateau State.
“Sadly, Bum community has now become a victim of this renewed violence, deepening fears over the safety of lives and property, especially at a time when people expect peace,” Tengwong added.
He said the Berom Youths Moulder-Association was closely monitoring the situation and would continue to engage relevant authorities to ensure the protection of vulnerable communities.
Efforts to obtain official comments from the spokespersons of Operation Enduring Peace and the Plateau State Police Command, Major Samson Zhakom and SP Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as of press time.
Meanwhile, government officials and community leaders who visited the affected community commiserated with the families of the victims.
They urged both the state and federal governments to take decisive and urgent steps to curb the persistent attacks and restore lasting peace in Plateau State.