As Nigerians were celebrating the cross over night on December 31, 2025, to usher in the year 2026, gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia laid siege on the Bum community in Chugwi, Vwang District of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, killing at least seven people, injuring scores of others, burning homes, and leaving the community in disarray.
National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed this in a statement on Thursday morning, said the bandits took advantage of the cross-over celebrations to launch the attack on the community and plunge the residents into sorrow and a nasty New Year experience.
“While the world welcomed the New Year in celebration, residents of Bum community in Chugwi, Vwang District of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, were plunged into mourning following a deadly attack by suspected armed Fulani militants/bandits,” Tengwong said.
He stated that the attack occurred at about 11:00 p.m. on December 31, 2025, barely minutes into the New Year, as peace-loving residents were preparing to bid farewell to 2025 and welcome 2026.
“As of this morning, seven (7) corpses have been recovered, while search and rescue efforts are still ongoing, raising fears that the casualty figure may rise.”
Tengwong added that the attack came despite an earlier security alert warning that several communities in Jos South LGA had been earmarked for possible attacks, but insisted that security agencies had discarded the warning.
“Sadly, the Bum community has now fallen victim to this renewed wave of violence. This latest attack adds to the growing list of violent assaults on innocent rural communities in Plateau State, further deepening concerns over the safety of lives and property, especially during festive periods meant for peace and celebration.
“The Berom Youth Moulder-Association (BYM) is closely monitoring developments and will provide further updates as the situation unfolds,” he stated.
