A 25-year-old vigilante officer identified as Daniel Danladi Choji has been killed by gunmen who invaded the Tanjol village in Jol District of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Tuesday night.

Residents of the community say an unspecified number of people were also injured in the process of fleeing into nearby bushes and rocks to escape from the marauding gunmen who were suspected to be Fulani bandits.

National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association, BYM, Rwang Tengwong confirmed the attack in a statement on Wednesday.

He said the attackers stormed the Vwak and Tanjol communities in more than five groups, shooting indiscriminately before they were repelled by a combined team of Operation Rainbow and security operatives.

In the statement, Tengwong, who said the deceased was shot dead while on patrol with other operatives, strongly condemned the attack and called on the state government and security agencies to take urgent steps to prevent further violence.

We also urged authorities to halt grazing activities in the affected areas as there is a link between such movements and repeated attacks.

“BYM also called for intensified military operations in areas known as enclaves of armed groups. Failure to act decisively could lead to continued loss of lives in Plateau State and the wider Middle Belt region,” he added.