JOS, Nigeria: Suspected gunmen on motorcycles killed two local vigilantes during an attack on Rangarasa village in the Rantya community of Jos South Local Government Area in Plateau State on Wednesday night.
A resident of the area, John Mancha, witnessed the attack and spoke to journalists on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Okay News reports that Mancha stated the assailants arrived in a group of over 100, with three to four armed men riding on each motorcycle.
“Yesterday night in Rantya, we did not sleep. We saw the attackers. They came on motorcycles. On each motorcycle, there were three or four men carrying rifles. They were shooting and trying to enter Rantya community from the Rangarasa axis bordering the area,” Mancha said.
Local vigilantes mobilized to repel the armed men before being overpowered. “Some local vigilantes mobilised themselves and actually did their best to resist the invaders. Unfortunately, two of them were gunned down before the attackers fled,” Mancha said.
The deceased vigilantes were identified as Joshua and Emmanuel. Mancha noted that Joshua is survived by four children and Emmanuel’s wife recently gave birth.
Security personnel, including police officers and one soldier, visited the community on Thursday morning to view the bodies before departing. “It was only this morning that we saw some policemen and a soldier who visited the community and left after we showed them the corpses of the victims,” Mancha said. “The situation is pathetic. Residents are living in fear and government should act quickly to prevent further attacks.”
The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Barrister Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, confirmed the incident. Mwantiri stated that violent incidents are occurring closer to the Jos city center, raising concerns about the spread of insecurity across the metropolis.
