Tragedy struck in Nkiendowro community of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, on Wednesday, when gunmen ambushed and killed four persons, including a nine-month-old baby, in a fresh wave of violence.
The victims—two women, one man, and the infant—were reportedly transporting baskets of freshly harvested tomatoes from their farm in Nkiendowro to be sold at the Farin-Gada market in Jos when they were attacked. Two others sustained injuries during the assault and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Spokesman for the Miango Youths Development Association, Joseph Chudu, confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro on Thursday in Jos, describing it as part of a disturbing pattern of ongoing violence in the area.
“The victims had loaded their tomatoes into a vehicle and were set to leave the farm when they were ambushed near a bridge close to the Tegbe-Nkiendowro community. They were all killed on the spot,” Chudu stated.
Lamenting the repeated attacks on residents, he questioned the country’s commitment to justice and public safety. “I don’t know the kind of democracy we are practising. Every day people are being killed, and no one is held accountable,” he said. “There have been persistent attacks since last week, and this latest one claimed the lives of innocent farmers, including a baby.”
He confirmed that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at a mortuary, while the injured victims were taken to the hospital for treatment. The attack has since been reported to security agencies.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off at the time of filing this report.
