By Kazeem Waris
A woman has been killed while two other persons sustained injuries in an attack on farmers harvesting groundnuts at Gwom-Ajang, Foron District, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 4pm on Saturday while the victims were working on their farm, according to a community member, Silas Bitrus, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
Bitrus said the victims were harvesting groundnuts when the attack occurred.
“The incident occurred around 4pm while they were harvesting groundnuts on the farm,” he said.
He added: “A woman was killed, while two others sustained injuries.”
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the incident, condemning the attack and calling on security operatives to track down those responsible.
The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identity of the assailants and their motive, were not immediately established.
The incident adds to security concerns in parts of Plateau State, where attacks on rural communities have continued to raise fears over the safety of residents engaged in farming and other livelihood activities.
Youth coalition alleges planned campaign against security agencies
In a related development, the Coalition of Plateau State Indigenous Youth Bodies has alleged that some groups are planning a counter-propaganda campaign against the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies operating in the state.
The coalition made the allegation in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by Amb. Ezekiel Peter Bini, Chairman of the Coalition of Indigenous Youth Nationalities, Plateau State; Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, President of the Berom Youth Moulder-Association; Amb. Miri Timnan Nyantau, President of the Tarok Progressive Youths Association; and Jonathan Kyesmang Yusuf, President of the Mwaghavul Youths Movement.
According to the group, the alleged plan followed its World Press Conference held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists Secretariat in Abuja on October 21, 2026.
“Following our World Press Conference held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists Secretariat in Abuja on 21st October, 2026, the Coalition has received information of a plan to launch an aggressive counter-propaganda campaign,” the statement said.
The coalition alleged that some groups intended to organise another press conference to portray the joint operations of the DSS, the Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow as discriminatory against a section of the population.
“According to reliable sources, some groups are planning to stage a World Press Conference to portray the joint operations of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Mobile Police Force, and Operation Rainbow as discriminatory against a section of the population,” it added.
The coalition cautioned against accepting what it described as propaganda without independent verification, urging individuals and organisations concerned about human rights to demand evidence and allow the relevant authorities to establish the facts.
“The propaganda being launched must not be accepted as truth without independent verification,” the group said.
“We challenge anyone concerned about human rights and freedom to demand evidence and allow the appropriate authorities to establish the facts.”
Coalition declares support for security operations
The indigenous youth coalition expressed support for the DSS, Mobile Police Force, Operation Rainbow and other security personnel operating in Plateau State, insisting that efforts to address insecurity should not be undermined by unverified claims.
“We stand firmly with the DSS, Mobile Police and Operation Rainbow and other security operatives,” the statement said.
The group added: “We will not be distracted by propaganda, nor shall we retreat because of terror. Plateau is our heritage and must remain safe for all law-abiding citizens.”
The coalition’s allegations concerning the proposed counter-propaganda campaign were not independently verified, and the statement did not identify the groups allegedly planning the conference.
As security concerns persist in parts of Plateau State, the killing of the woman and the injury of two others have renewed calls for the protection of rural communities, particularly farmers whose livelihoods depend on access to their fields.