A middle-aged man was killed in an ambush on the Jol–Sho road in Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria, in an attack attributed to suspected Fulani militias. The incident, which occurred on the evening of Friday, February 21, 2026, highlights persistent security challenges in the region’s rural communities.
According to a statement from the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), the victim, Sunday Darian, a resident of Jol community, was returning from an event in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area with a female companion when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle. Darian sustained severe gunshot wounds and was transported to a hospital in Barkin Ladi, where he was pronounced dead on Saturday. His female companion’s status was not detailed in the report.
The BYM’s National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “another tragic incident” in a pattern of violence affecting Riyom and neighboring areas. The association asserted that the assault demonstrates that armed groups remain unwilling to coexist peacefully, despite ongoing efforts by state authorities and security agencies to stabilize the region. The statement noted that the incident has been formally reported to security operatives.
Plateau State, located in Nigeria’s north-central region, has a history of complex communal and farmer-herder conflicts, often exacerbated by banditry and militia activities. Rural roads, including the Jol–Sho route, have previously been identified as vulnerable to such attacks, complicating travel and economic activity for local communities. The latest fatality underscores the fragility of security in these areas, where intermittent violence continues to claim lives despite periodic security deployments.
In its statement, the BYM called on security agencies to intensify operations to apprehend the perpetrators and implement measures to prevent future attacks on innocent civilians. The association emphasized the urgent need for sustained and visible security presence along frequently targeted routes to deter militias and protect residents.
The killing of Sunday Darian adds to a growing list of violent incidents in Plateau State this year, reflecting broader difficulties in quelling armed criminality and inter-communal tensions in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. For residents of Riyom and surrounding LGAs, the attack reinforces daily risks and deepens mistrust. The incident now places pressure on security forces to deliver a swift investigation and demonstrate credible deterrence, as communities and advocacy groups continue to demand effective, long-term solutions to the region’s insecurity crisis.
