Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias, on Thursday, attacked a group of mourners who were conveying the bodies of two persons killed in an earlier attack, to the mortuary in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing one person and injuring several others.

The President of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, BYM, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday morning, said on Wednesday night, some Fulani bandits had launched an attack on the Sol village of Ta-Hoss District in Riyom LGA, killing two people.

However, the bandits ambushed the grieving mourners the following day while conveying the bodies of the victims to a mortuary, opened fire on them and killed one other person while injuring others in the process.

Mwantiri, who condemned the renewed wave of terrorist attacks in Riyom and other parts of the state, called on security agencies to intensify ongoing operations through a comprehensive crackdown on armed criminal gangs terrorizing innocent communities.

“This call follows the gruesome killing of two Berom youths by suspected armed Fulani terrorist gangs who invaded Sol village in the Ta-Hoss community of Riyom LGA at about 9:20 p.m. on June 10, 2026,” Mwantiri said.

He revealed the names of the victims as Davou Dalyop Patu and Dalyop Zaram, who were mowed down in the earlier attack.

Continuing, the BYM President said:

“These productive members of the community were brutally murdered, plunging the entire Ta-Hoss community and surrounding villages into deep mourning.

“Reports indicate that after carrying out the attack, the assailants retreated to a nearby Fulani settlement suspected to serve as a hideout for armed bandits in Kwakwi, Ganawuri District of Riyom LGA.” 

He added that on Thursday morning, while the remains of the two victims were being taken to the Riyom General Hospital to be deposited in the mortuary, the bandits again attacked the mourners in an ambush and opened fire on them, killing one man identified as Toma Chuwang, while some others sustained several degrees of injuries.

“The Association has also received credible reports suggesting that criminal elements responsible for attacks in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area may have redirected their operations toward vulnerable communities in Riyom LGA due to the ongoing security crackdown being conducted by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies in Barkin Ladi and its environs,” Mwantiri went on.

“In a related development, BYM condemns the continued destruction of farmlands through indiscriminate grazing in the Gassa/Kassa communities of Ropp District, Barkin Ladi LGA. Such actions threaten the livelihoods of local farmers and further compound the insecurity and economic hardship faced by residents.

“Consequently, BYM calls on the Federal Government, Plateau State Government, and all security agencies to establish and strengthen additional security formations in Riyom LGA to complement ongoing operations and prevent the area from becoming a safe haven for terrorist and criminal elements.

“The Association also appeals to the international community and Nigeria’s development and security partners to support efforts aimed at combating terrorism, banditry, and violent extremism in Plateau State, the Middle Belt region, and Nigeria as a whole.

“Furthermore, BYM urges residents of vulnerable communities in Riyom LGA, Gyel District of Jos South LGA, and other affected areas to remain vigilant and prioritize community security. Citizens should continue to provide timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, including Operation Enduring Peace and other relevant security formations, to enable proactive responses to emerging threats,” he added. 

With the African Democratic Congress, ADC, primary elections now over, attention has shifted to who becomes the running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku had picked the current Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi as his running mate in 2019 and former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate in the 2023 polls.

A few weeks ago, Atiku emerged as the flag bearer of the ADC after polling the highest number of votes in the party’s primary election.

DAILY POST reports that he is said to be thinking towards the South-East, with names like the Director General of the World Trade Organization, WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha being mentioned.

Amid these speculations, the Director of Politics at Arise News, Sumner Sambo had said Okonjo-Iweala distanced herself from such a move, stressing that she was unwilling to abandon her current post as WTO DG for a Nigerian political contest.

Okonjo-Iweala assumed the position of the DG of WTO on March 1, 2021, becoming both the first woman and the first African to lead the world trade organization.

She assumed her second term as director-general in September 2023 and her tenure runs until 2029.

However, Sambo said she had communicated her position directly to Atiku’s camp.

Sambo said: “Okonjo-Iweala is not willing to actually leave a lucrative job as DG of the World Trade Organisation to actually consider that.

“She’s made it known to them, and that is understandable because she just resumed in September last year, and she has a tenure that will run for a second term till 2029.”

Emeka Ihedioha

One of the names featuring prominently is the former governor of Imo State and ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Ihedioha, who is also a member of the ADC, is believed to be among those the former Vice President is quietly evaluating as his potential running mate.

South South link with Amaechi 

While speculations are rife that Atiku is looking at the Southeast, there are also claims that he has extended his searchlight towards the South South region.

Atiku is said to be considering a fellow presidential aspirant and former Minister of Transportation who served as a two-term governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi.

The ADC presidential candidate met with Amaechi behind closed doors on Monday, but details of the meeting were never made public. 

However, some believe it has everything to do with the choice of Atiku’s running mate.

Southeast running mate won’t get Atiku votes – APC chieftain, Eli

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Sogbeye Eli, has said shopping for a running mate from the Southeast won’t get Atiku many votes in 2027 due to the influence of Obi in the region.

“Atiku has no room for votes from a vice-presidential candidate from both the South-East and South-West,” he said in an interview. 

Dele Momodu portrays self as Atiku’s running mate

Amid the political uncertainty, a chieftain of the ADC and former presidential candidate, Dele Momodu had posted a flyer on his social media page wherein he was portrayed as Atiku’s running mate.

Alongside the flyer, Momodu wrote: “The Attraction of Atiku Abubakar/Dele Momodu ticket”, “The right choice for a greater Nigeria.”

Spare tyre won’t be basis of Atiku picking running mate – Aide

Reacting to the speculations, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the ADC presidential candidate would pick his running mate based on competence and not on the usual basis of “spare tyre.”

Speaking with DAILY POST, Shaibu said: “On the question of the Vice Presidential slot, it is far too early to speculate on specific regions or individuals. 

“That decision will ultimately be guided by what best serves the national interest and strengthens the mission of rescuing Nigeria.

“What I can say with confidence is that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar understands the enormous responsibilities of leadership. He appreciates that the challenges facing Nigeria today require a competent, experienced, and capable team.

“Therefore, I do not expect the choice of a running mate to be based on symbolism or the outdated notion of a “spare tyre.” Nigeria needs a governing team, not a sole administrator. 

“The Vice President must be someone who can contribute meaningfully to governance, policy formulation, economic management, national cohesion, and the overall task of rebuilding the country.

“When the time comes, Nigerians can expect a decision driven by competence, capacity, and the national interest.”

Picking running mate from Southeast Atiku’s strongest option – Lawyer

Contributing to the discussion, a lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, pointed out that if Atiku wants national cohesion and political balance, picking his running mate from the Southeast is his “strongest option.”

Idam said Atiku can pose a great challenge to Obi’s presidential ambition if he picks a running mate from the Southeast.

“Atiku’s strongest option may be to choose a running mate from the South-East if the objectives are equity, national cohesion, and political balance in the event of victory. 

“The South-East would need meaningful representation in his administration to foster a greater sense of inclusion and national belonging.

“A northern presidential ticket without South-East representation is likely to attract criticism and apathy from a significant segment of the South-East electorate.

“Furthermore, if Atiku intends to pose a serious challenge to the influence of Peter Obi in the region, selecting a running mate from the South-East could be a strategic necessity. 

“Without such a move, securing the constitutionally required spread of votes, including a substantial share from the region, may prove difficult in the 2027 electio