By Kazeem Waris
Tension has heightened in Dorowa Bubuje community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, as women and children are being evacuated following renewed gunshots reportedly coming from the direction of Kantoma.
The development has forced residents to retreat from parts of the community, with families moving to safer locations as security personnel respond to the situation.
A resident, Lawrence Shong, told Vanguard that gunshots were still being heard in the Kantoma area as of 12:15pm on Sunday.
He said the continued shooting had heightened fears among residents and prompted the evacuation of women and children.
“As I speak to you, at about 12:15pm on Sunday, we are still hearing sounds of gunshots,” Shong said.
“Women and children are currently being evacuated because of the ongoing attack. We are still hearing gunshots, and this is forcing people to retreat.
“Currently, our people are gathering and moving away from this place. The women and children are being taken to safer locations.”
Shong commended the military for repelling attacks in some other communities in the local government area.
Also speaking, spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders, BYM, Rwang Tengwong, who was at the community, confirmed that the situation remained tense, with residents moving away from areas considered vulnerable.
Tengwong said, “Currently, women and children are being evacuated from this place because of the ongoing attack.
“We are still hearing gunshots from the direction of Kantoma, and that is forcing people to retreat.
“That is why you are seeing people gathering and moving away. The women and children are the first people being moved to safer locations.
“Military personnel have been drafted to the community, and what we need now is sustained security deployment to protect the people and prevent further attacks.”
Tengwong commended the military and other security personnel for their response, saying their intervention had helped prevent further escalation.
He appealed for sustained security presence in the affected communities to enable residents to return to their homes without fear.
Efforts to reach security operatives for further details were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, at least nine people have reportedly been killed in separate attacks in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities in Plateau State between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Five of the victims were reportedly passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area when they were attacked on Saturday night.
Two others, including a pastor, were reportedly killed while on their way to church at Dorowa Bubuje on Sunday morning.
The circumstances surrounding the reported attacks were still unfolding as of press time.
