Tragedy Strikes Plateau Again as Gunmen Kill Pregnant Woman, Husband, Twin Boys Orphaned

A fresh wave of violence has swept through Plateau State, as armed gunmen killed a young pregnant woman and her husband in the Angwan Ishaku community of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, leaving behind their one-year-old twin boys as orphans.

The attack occurred on Wednesday evening, May 13, 2026, just two days after Governor Caleb Mutfwang held a town hall meeting with stakeholders in the area to address the escalating insecurity. The victims have been identified as Iliya Gyang, 30, and his wife Grace Iliya, 25, who was heavily pregnant and reportedly due to give birth in June or July.

Neighbors described a scene of sudden and senseless violence. According to a resident, Kacholom Ayuba, the incident happened around 5:30 pm. Another neighbor, Juliana Emmanuel, recounted that two gunmen on a motorcycle ambushed the couple as they were about to enter their home. “They opened fire on the couple, killing them instantly on their doorstep,” Emmanuel said, describing the victims as peaceful and well-liked within the community.

The Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong. The group detailed that Grace died instantly at the scene, while her husband Iliya was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.

“The attackers reportedly arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire on the couple and others around the area, and immediately fled through the road leading towards the Fulani settlements in Fass along the Rakung-Sho road,” the BYM statement read.

The tragedy is compounded by the fate of the couple’s young children. The BYM revealed the depth of the family’s loss, noting that the deceased woman had only recently finished breastfeeding their one-year-old twin boys and was pregnant again. “The tragic killing of the couple has now left the innocent twins orphaned and devastated their entire family,” the statement added.

Two other persons also sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, though their conditions remain unclear. The attack has sparked outrage, particularly because it followed recent security commitments from the government. The BYM noted that the incident occurred just a day after a State Security Council meeting where new measures to tackle persistent killings were announced.

“BYM notes with deep concern that this latest attack clearly shows that the terrorists have continued to dare security authorities and are evidently not ready for peace in Plateau State despite ongoing efforts by government and stakeholders to restore calm in the affected communities,” the association said. Describing the act as “barbaric, wicked, and inhumane,” the group called on the military to carry out coordinated raids in identified flashpoints.

The association has specifically appealed to the Plateau State Government to provide immediate support for the orphaned twins. As of the time of this report, security forces have yet to make any arrests related to the attack. The latest killings add to a growing toll of violence in the state, which has continued despite a recent visit and security pledges from President Bola Tinubu following the March 29 attacks in Jos North LGA that claimed over 28 lives.