The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed that five people were killed in a late-night shooting at Gwan-Ajang village in the Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, said officers from the Gindiri Division received a distress call at about 9:22 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026, and immediately deployed personnel to the area.
According to the police, the attack occurred while residents were gathered for a social event in the community.
“We got a call of a shooting that happened around Gwan-Ajang village, and we mobilised men to stabilise the situation.
“From what we gathered, some members of the community were having an occasion or a party when they suddenly heard sporadic shooting,” Alabo said.
The police spokesman disclosed that officers arrived at the scene to find several victims lying in pools of blood.
“When our men got there, they met some persons in pools of their blood. As I speak to you, five of them were confirmed dead,” he stated.
Alabo explained that the village is located near the boundary between Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas, which has resulted in varying accounts regarding the exact location of the attack.
“Depending on where people are telling the story from, some say Barkin Ladi, others say Mangu,” he added.
The Police Commissioner has reportedly directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate efforts aimed at apprehending those responsible.
Alabo also confirmed that security agencies have intensified deployments in the area in collaboration with Operation Enduring Peace.
“Our men are there, and we are working with Operation Enduring Peace, who have also made deployments. Calm has been restored, and we are looking forward to making some arrests because we have good intel,” he said.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association, Rwang Tengwong, disputed the official casualty figure, claiming that at least seven people lost their lives in the attack.
“At least seven persons have been reportedly killed in another armed invasion by armed Fulani gangs at about 9:30 p.m. in Gwan-Ajang village,” Tengwong alleged.
He further claimed that more than 10 others sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
Community sources also suggested that the attack occurred after a period of relative calm in parts of Plateau State, though such claims have not been independently verified by security authorities.
Security agencies say investigations are ongoing, while patrols and surveillance operations have been strengthened as efforts continue to identify and arrest the perpetrators.