Three individuals were ambushed and killed in Dundu community, Kwall District, within the Irigwe Chiefdom of Plateau State’s Bassa Local Government Area.
The attack reportedly occurred amid ongoing destruction of dry-season farms in the region.
At the time of reporting, neither the Plateau State Government, the State Police Command, nor Operation Safe Haven (OpSH) could confirm the incident. Brigadier-General Gakji Shipi (retd), Security Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, stated he was unaware of the development.
Efforts to reach Police Public Relations Officer Alfred Alabo were unsuccessful, while Major Samson Zhakom of OpSH promised to investigate and provide updates.
However, Joseph Yonkpa, National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Youth Movement, identified the victims as John Avia (48), Sunday Vickson (32), and Peter Vickson (30).
He stated that the incident happened on Sunday evening as the people were returning home from their businesses and that there had been many ambushes and farm destruction in the last two weeks. He encouraged the people to increase vigilance.
Meanwhile, troops at OpSH have arrested one person allegedly opposing the suspension of mining activities and recovered firearms in the state.
Media Information Officer of OpSH, Major Samson Zhakom, in a statement, said: “Troops of 3 Division and Operation SAFE HAVEN have arrested a notorious cult leader in Plateau State. The arrest came following an intelligence report that a cult group identified as Jungle Boys was planning to launch an attack on prominent individuals, including political office holders and community leaders, over the suspension of illegal mining in the state.”
“The criminal suspect was arrested on March 20, 2025, at Angwan Gainyeh in the Sakon-Gyel axis in the Jos South LGA. The suspect is in custody making useful confessions while troops are on the trail of other members of the cult group.
“Also, on March 23, 2025, troops on the ongoing Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A responded to information about criminal activities around the Youth Centre at Sabon Layi axis in Mangu LGA of the state. Troops made contact with the miscreants, engaged, and overwhelmed the criminals forcing them to flee. The general area was exploited by the combat troops, and one of the criminals, aged 29 years, was arrested armed with one AK-47 rifle loaded with 2 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special).
“Further exploitation led to the recovery of 30 cows rustled by the criminal syndicate. The recovered cows have been handed over to the owner, while the arrested suspect, recovered rifle, and ammunition are in custody for further action.”