Thirteen people have been confirmed dead following separate attacks on Rachas village in Heipang District and Rawuru village in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. The attacks, which occurred on Tuesday, have been described as “unprovoked and deeply regrettable” by the Chairman of the Council, Stephen Pwajok.
The victims were buried in a mass grave at Rachas village, where Pwajok condemned the killings and commiserated with the bereaved families. He assured residents that the government remains committed to restoring and sustaining peace in the area
The District Head of Heipang, Da Paul Tadi-Tok, lamented the persistent attacks on innocent villagers and urged security agencies to act decisively to prevent further bloodshed. He also called on authorities to restrict herders from grazing in communities where Fulani are not resident, noting that such a measure would help reduce friction and curb infiltration by attackers posing as herdersmen
The Security Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Brigadier General Gakji Shipi (rtd.), reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to enhancing community-based security operations. He disclosed that Operation Rainbow is currently undergoing a recruitment process, with new personnel to be trained and equipped to support conventional security agencies in tackling the wave of attacks across the state
The President of the Berom Youth Movement (BYM), Barr Solomon Nwantiri, condemned the attacks and rejected recurring claims that cattle rustling was behind the violence, insisting that such excuses cannot justify the killing of innocent villagers 
The renewed attacks in Barkin Ladi come amid growing appeals from residents and community leaders for decisive and impartial security intervention to end the cycle of violence in Plateau’s rural communities. The traditional ruler has also called for the revitalization and strengthening of Operation Rainbow to ensure a swift response to distress situations in rural areas
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