KANAM, PLATEAU STATE – The Furyam Takzul community in the Kantana Ward of Kanam Local Government Area was plunged into mourning following a violent raid by gunmen. The attack, which targeted the heart of the rural settlement, left two residents dead and several others missing, highlighting the ongoing security challenges facing Plateau State.

The raid occurred on Sunday, May 10, 2026 when armed men stormed the Furyam Takzul community, catching residents off guard. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as the attackers moved through the village, firing weapons and creating an atmosphere of terror.

The raid specifically targeted the Furyam Takzul community located within the Kanam Local Government Area. During the initial assault, two individuals were confirmed killed as gunmen moved through the Kantana Ward. Additionally, the raiders forcibly abducted five people, including women and children, whose current whereabouts remain unknown.

The Kanam Local Government Area has faced sporadic incidents of violence in recent months, leading to increased calls for a heightened security presence in the more remote wards. The abduction of vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, has further intensified the sense of fear among local farming communities.

Local leaders have condemned the brutal nature of the raid, urging state and federal security agencies to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims.

Security forces have reportedly been deployed to the area to conduct search-and-rescue operations in the surrounding forests where the gunmen are believed to have fled. While no group has officially claimed responsibility for the bloodshed, the "hit-and-run" tactics employed are consistent with banditry patterns seen across the region.

Tensions remain high in the Kantana Ward as families wait for news of their missing loved ones. Community members have called for more robust intelligence gathering and a permanent security post to deter future incursions into the Kanam local government area.