Tears flowed freely as eight victims of the recent attack on Gwon-Ajang village in Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Council of Plateau State were laid to rest yesterday amid grief and renewed calls for urgent action to halt the recurring killings in the state.

The victims were buried in an emotional ceremony attended by family members, community leaders, religious leaders and sympathisers, who mourned the loss of their loved ones killed by terrorists during the attack on the community.

More than 15 persons were injured in the attack, which has heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of Plateau State.

Speaking during the burial, former member of the House of Representatives who represented Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, Peter Gyendeng lamented the recurring attacks on communities in the state, saying residents had become weary of the continuous loss of lives.

“We are sick and tired of being killed. We have been living in peace and have tried everything humanly possible not to engage anybody. We have never crossed into another community to attack anyone, yet these things continue to happen to us on a daily basis,” he said.

The former lawmaker expressed frustration over what he described as the failure to halt the cycle of violence despite the peaceful disposition of affected communities.

“It is painful. People stay in their communities and somebody comes to attack and kill them. You cannot even celebrate one good thing without fear. For how long will people continue to live this kind of life?” he asked.

Gyendeng called on security agencies and government authorities to take urgent steps to halt the attacks and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Also reacting, the member representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ishaya Lalu, expressed deep sorrow over the killings in Foron and other recent attacks in Plateau State.

Lalu described the incidents as painful, heartbreaking and unacceptable, stressing that no community should be forced to live under fear and violence.

“I am deeply saddened by the continuous loss of innocent lives in our communities. These attacks are not only cruel but also a direct assault on our shared humanity and peaceful coexistence as a people,” he said.

The federal lawmaker urged security agencies to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities and bring perpetrators of the attacks to justice.

Meanwhile, the National President of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), Dalyop Mwantiri, described the security situation in the area as alarming, warning that many rural communities remained vulnerable to attacks due to inadequate security presence.

According to him, residents largely depend on local vigilante groups that are poorly equipped to confront heavily armed attackers. He called on the Federal Government to deploy more security personnel to vulnerable communities, warning that failure to act could expose residents to further attacks.

Mwantiri expressed concern over what he termed a “conspiracy of silence” in the face of repeated attacks on indigenous communities, urging authorities to strengthen security architecture and provide local residents with the necessary support to protect their communities within the ambit of the law.

He also appealed to the Federal Government to seek international collaboration and support in tackling insecurity and terrorism in affected areas.

Meanwhile, a former councillor who represented Nasarawa Ward in Langtang South Local Council of Plateau State, Godwin Vonga, has been killed by terrorists along the Timshat-Mabudi road.

Vonga, who was also the Magaji of Timshat, was attacked on Sunday night while returning home after taking his children to Mabudi following the school break.

Sources in the community told journalists that the deceased had travelled from Timshat to Mabudi to drop off his children, who had spent the holiday at home, before the attack occurred.

According to the sources, the former councillor was ambushed and killed by the assailants on his way back to Timshat.

A resident of the community, Nanbol Pirfa, said the incident had thrown Timshat and neighbouring communities into mourning, describing the late Vonga as a respected leader and public servant.

“The entire community is in shock. He was well known and respected by many people. We pray that those responsible are identified and brought to justice,” Pirfa said.

Although the motive for the killing remains unclear, some residents suspect that the attackers may have been criminals operating along the route.

The Chairman of Langtang South Local Council, Nanfa Nbin, condemned the killing, describing it as barbaric, unfortunate and unacceptable.

In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Butko Iliya, the chairman expressed shock over the death of the former councillor and traditional title holder, who was reportedly attacked while returning from Mabudi, the headquarters of the local government area.

Nbin sympathised with the family of the deceased, the people of Timshat and the entire Langtang South community, praying for the repose of his soul and for God to grant his loved ones the strength to bear the loss.

The chairman vowed that perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice, warning criminal elements operating within the local council to desist from such acts or face the full weight of the law.

He also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could assist ongoing investigations.