The attack on the local vigilantes was said to have occured at about 2am on Wednesday when the gunmen opened fire on the vigilantes who were keeping watch at the community guard post.

A native of Riyom, Damba Bulus Dang, who confirmed the incident, said the attackers struck while residents were asleep, killing three of the local security guards.

Dang expressed concern over the renewed attacks on communities in the area, saying residents were increasingly worried about their safety.

He described the killing of the vigilantes as particularly disturbing, noting that the victims were providing security for their community and helping to protect residents from attacks.

He appealed to security agencies to urgently strengthen security around Gwa-Rim and other vulnerable communities in Riyom Local Government Area to prevent further attacks.

Dang also called for a thorough investigation into the incident, urging security operatives to track down the perpetrators and ensure that those responsible for the killings are brought to justice.

However, efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo prove abortive at the time of filing in this report when phone calls are swift off. 

In another security development, men of the Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) has rescued two kidnapped victims in Bassa and Kanam Local Government Areas respectively. 

A statement by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force in Jos on Wednesday noted that the success on the operation was due to credible intelligence by citizens. 

According to the statement, troops of Sector 3, deployed in Bassa Local Government Area, received credible information about the abduction of Mr Ndubuisi Onuigbo at about 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25.

The troops immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation, which resulted in the successful rescue of the victim.

In a separate operation in the early hours of Wednesday, August 26, troops of Sector 2, Operation Enduring Peace, deployed at Kukawa village in Kanam Local Government Area, encountered suspected terrorist elements during a fighting patrol.

The troops pursued the fleeing suspects, who subsequently abandoned a kidnapped victim identified as Mallam Sambo Abdullahi.

The victim was rescued and later debriefed alongside the other rescued victim before both were reunited with their families.

The Joint Task Force said the operations form part of ongoing efforts to deny criminal and terrorist elements freedom of action across Plateau State and restore lasting peace and security.

The Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Maxwell Dangana, commended the troops for their professionalism and decisive actions in disrupting criminal activities across the operation’s area of responsibility.

He also appealed to residents to remain calm and cautious while continuing to support the security forces with relevant information to enable them to effectively carry out their mandate of restoring enduring peace in the state.