A tragic attack in Angwan Ishaku, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State has claimed the lives of a young couple, Mr. Iliya Gyang, 30, and his pregnant wife, Mrs. Grace Iliya, 25.
The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday evening, May 13, 2026, when armed assailants stormed the community and opened fire on the couple in front of their residence. Mrs.
Grace was said to have died instantly at the scene, while her husband later succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at a hospital.
According to local sources and a statement from the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), the attackers arrived on motorcycles and fled the scene after the assault, reportedly heading towards Fulani settlements in Fass along the Rakung–Sho Road.
The attack is coming at a time when stakeholders in Plateau State have intensified efforts to curb recurring violence in the region.
It occurred just days after Governor Caleb Mutfwang visited Barkin Ladi for a town hall meeting focused on addressing insecurity, and a day after the State Security Council announced new measures aimed at restoring peace across affected communities.
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The BYM described the killing as cruel and deeply troubling, noting that the incident highlights the continued vulnerability of rural communities despite ongoing security interventions.
The group also expressed concern that two other residents sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, while their conditions remain unknown.
In a heartbreaking detail, the deceased woman had reportedly just finished breastfeeding her one-year-old twin boys and was pregnant again at the time of her death, leaving the children orphaned.
The association has called on security agencies to intensify coordinated operations in suspected hideouts in surrounding areas, while also urging the Plateau State Government to support the bereaved family, particularly the orphaned children.
As investigations continue, the latest attack has further heightened tensions in Barkin Ladi and renewed calls for urgent and sustained action to address insecurity in Plateau State.
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