Six commuters killed in Plateau attack hours after Fulani herders, cattle were massacred in Mangu
By: Zagazola Makama
At least six people have been killed and two others injured after suspected Fulani Bandits opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Kuru T-junction, close to Science School in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, less than 24 hours after three young Fulani herders were killed and dozens of cattle were shot dead in Alohom community, Sabon Gari District of Mangu Local Government Area.
Military sources told Zagazola Makama that troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace, responded to a distress report concerning an attack on commuters travelling in a commercial bus from the Farin Lamba axis.
Upon arrival at the scene, the troops discovered that the attackers, who were travelling in a vehicle, had opened fire on the bus, killing six passengers on the spot. The victims comprised five males and one female, while two other passengers sustained gunshot injuries.
The troops immediately evacuated the injured victims to a hospital for treatment and commenced an exploitation of the surrounding area in an attempt to track the attackers.
No contact was established with the assailants, who had fled the scene before the arrival of the troops. Further offensive and security operations were ongoing in the general area as authorities moved to prevent another attack and establish the identities of those responsible.
The latest attack is particularly disturbing because of its timing. It came barely a day after the killing of three young Fulani herders at Alohom, where 36 cattle were also killed and another 12 reportedly wounded in an attack attributed by eyewitnesses to suspected Mwaghavul militia.
The three deceased herders were identified by members of the Fulbe community as Garzali Shaibu, 18; Bashiru Yakubu, 14; and Salim Abubakar, 15. Two other members of the herding group were also initially reported missing.
Military sources said troops of Sector 8, Operation Enduring Peace, moved to the area after receiving information about the attack and recovered the bodies of the three herders.
The deaths of the young herders and destruction of the cattle had already heightened fears of a retaliatory attack in other parts of Plateau.
That fear now appears to have materialised, although there is currently no military, or Police confirmation that the Dungus Kuru attack was carried out in direct retaliation for the Mangu killings.
What is, however, undeniable is the frightening sequence: civilians from one community were attacked and killed, followed within hours was two separate deadly attack on civilians.
At about 1:40 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026,
Suspected Fulani militia allegedly killed two people and injured five children during another attack on Vodni community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Troops of Sector 8, Operation Enduring Peace, deployed at Vodni responded to a distress report following the attack. Upon arrival at the location, the troops discovered that the assailants had fled after sighting the soldiers.
However, the troops heard the cries of children coming from a nearby house and immediately moved towards the location.
Inside the house, the troops discovered the bodies of two victims, while five children were found with gunshot injuries. The injured children were immediately evacuated to Mangu General Hospital, where they were receiving medical attention. That pattern is precisely how Plateau’s cycle of revenge has continued to deepen.
A dangerous chain of killings
In the days preceding the Alohom attack, there had already been a series of killings involving farmers, herders and other civilians. The latest incident comes against the backdrop of a rapidly deteriorating security situation across parts of Mangu, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom, Jos South and other parts of the state recording incidents that have further heightened fears of reprisals.
The latest wave began prominently on Wednesday, Sept. 9, when armed suspected Berom militiaallegedly attacked Fulani herders along the Jong–Nyeriwei Road and around Dorowa Babuje in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. According to military sources, troops responded to sporadic gunfire around the Jong–Nyeriwei Road at about 1:09 p.m. The troops reportedly discovered that a 19-year-old Fulani herder, Ishaku Yakubu, had been killed.
Seven cattle were also reportedly shot dead, while several other cattle were allegedly rustled by the attackers.
Later the same afternoon, at about 2:25 p.m., troops responded to another attack at Marit Junction, Dorowa Babuje. A 23-year-old man identified as Andata was found shot dead, While troops separately recovered the body of missing farmer, Geoffrey Gumut in Mangu. The circumstances surrounding Gumut’s death remained under investigation, although residents had raised suspicions against herders.
Zagazola reported that the two incidents occurred within hours of each other and immediately raised fears of retaliatory attacks.
The significance of that day was not merely the deaths. It was the speed with which violence was spreading between communities.
Sept. 9: Kidnapping attempt in Bassa, At about 10 p.m. on the same day, troops foiled an alleged kidnapping attempt at the residence of the late Gen. Bagudos in the Jebbu Bassa area of Bassa Local Government Area.The suspected kidnappers fled when security personnel arrived, while one suspect was subsequently arrested.
Zagazola reported that the suspects were believed to be armed Fulani herders, although the incident was treated as a criminal kidnapping attempt rather than a confirmed communal attack.
At about 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 9, troops engaged suspected kidnappers around Angwan Boka in Riyom LGA. One suspected kidnapper (a local from the area) was killed during the encounter, while others escaped. Troops recovered a Plateau made fabricated rifle and continued clearance operations in the area.
At about 8:34 a.m. on Sept. 10, suspected Berom militia allegedly rustled cattle belonging to Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar at Langei village in Barkin Ladi. Troops launched a pursuit but did not make contact with the fleeing suspects. The incident added another layer to an already volatile farmer-herder situation in the area.
At about 2:45 p.m., a 26-year-old man identified as Tokare Davou was killed around a mining site at Jong village in Dorowa Babuje District. Zagazola reported that local criminals were suspected to be responsible. Troops recovered the victim’s body with gunshot wounds and launched a manhunt for the attackers. The incident also highlighted the growing security problems surrounding mining sites, where competition over access to mineral resources has reportedly generated criminal violence.
At about 8:02 p.m. on Sept. 10, a local vigilante member, Peter Gyang, was killed at Kafi Abu village in Barkin Ladi. Military sources said Gyang was on sentry duty with three other vigilantes when suspected Fulani bandits attacked. The other three vigilantes reportedly fled, leaving Gyang behind. Troops launched a manhunt and intensified patrols in the area.
Also at about 1 a.m. on Sept. 10, suspected kidnappers reportedly blocked the Jos–Makarfi highway in Riyom and opened fire on a commercial bus. Three passengers were injured and rescued by troops. Two other passengers were reportedly abducted before the soldiers arrived. Local criminals suspected to he responsible. The incident demonstrated that the violence was no longer confined to isolated rural communities but was increasingly affecting major transport routes.
At about 4:35 p.m., troops encountered suspected terrorists around Dogon Ruwa in Wase Local Government Area while searching for kidnapped victims. A kidnapped woman, Hauwa Mohammed, was rescued after the attackers withdrew from the firefight. Other kidnapped victims who escaped during the encounter reportedly returned home.
The most politically and ethnically sensitive incident occurred on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Alohom community in Sabon Gari District of Mangu LGA. Three young Fulani herders were killed during an attack on a group of herders.
36 cattle were also killed, while another 12 sustained gunshot wounds. Two other members of the group were initially reported missing.
Survivors and Fulani eyewitnesses alleged that suspected Mwaghavul militia from the Alohom, Gaude and Mangu Halle areas were responsible. The incident nevertheless immediately raised fears of retaliation.
Less than 24 hours later, at about 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 13, gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits attacked a commercial bus at Dungus Kuru T-junction near Science School in Jos South LGA. The attackers reportedly opened fire on the bus carrying traders from the Farin Lamba axis. Six passengers five males and one female were killed, while two others were injured.
The accumulation of these incidents has created an environment where every killing is increasingly interpreted through an ethnic lens, and where communities are beginning to anticipate retaliation leaving the security and response agencies overstretched.
