Community leader, woman killed as suspected Fulani gunmen invade Plateau community

A 58-year-old community leader, Daniel Pulle, and a woman, Deborah Benjamin Kak, have been killed in separate attacks allegedly carried out by gunmen suspected to be Fulani terrorists in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth-Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, made this known in a statement released on Monday. He said the two attacks occurred on Sunday evening.

According to Tengwong, Pulle, a respected community leader from Gana-Ropp in Ropp District of Barkin Ladi LGA, was ambushed at about 7:55 p.m. while riding his motorcycle home.

He said the attackers opened fire on the victim, killing him during the assault. The incident has further heightened concerns over the recurring violence in communities across Plateau State.

Tengwong also confirmed that Deborah Benjamin Kak was killed in a separate attack in Riyom Local Government Area on the same day.

The association condemned the killings and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible and improve protection for vulnerable communities in the state.

The statement disclosed that Pulle was shot near a bridge leading to the community as he was riding home after an outing.

Tengwong said in a separate attack, Mrs Kak was waylaid and shot by bandits during an attack on her residence in Lwa village, Bachi District of Riyom LGA, and was rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, where she later succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment.

“The Berom Youth Moulders expresses concerns over the continued violence and loss of lives in affected communities and calls for intensified security measures to protect residents and prevent further attacks,” the association said.

Conflict journalist, Kim Masara Usman, who also confirmed the incident, wrote on his Facebook page on Monday:

“While many of us slept last night, a community leader, Daniel Pulle, was shot and killed just minutes from his home in Gana Ropp village of Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State.

“He wasn’t fighting or arguing, just a peaceful man returning to his family on a motorcycle when gunmen opened fire. He died on the spot.

“At the same time, Mrs. Deborah Benjamin Kak, who was shot by terrorists at her residence in Lwa village, Bachi District of Riyom Local Government Area on 26th June 2026, succumbed to her injuries on Sunday at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), where she had been receiving treatment.”