Soldier loses his life, weapons carted away as gunmen assault army checkpoint in Plateau

Gunmen have attacked troops of Operation Enduring Peace, OPEP, at a checkpoint in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, unaliving a soldier and carting away two weapons.

The incident occurred at about 8pm on Saturday, October 31, 2026 on the Sopp Checkpoint in Ungwan Boka group, Riyom LGA.

According to Daily Trust, a personnel of the operation have been on obligation when gunmen immediately opened fireplace on them, unaliving the sufferer and taking away his rifle.

The attackers, in keeping with safety sources, opened fireplace from completely different instructions, resulting in an alternate of gunfire earlier than they fled into the encircling bushes.

“The attack occurred while the troops were keeping vigil at the checkpoint,” the supply stated.

“The gunmen opened fire from different directions, forcing the troops to engage them in a gun battle.”

Confirming the incident, spokesman of OPEP, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, described the assault as deliberate and unprovoked, saying troops have been deployed there to revive normalcy.

“It was a deliberate and unprovoked attack on troops at Sopp Check Point, Ungwan Boka in Riyom Local Government Area,” Captain Oteh stated.

“Troops have restored normalcy within the space and are sustaining aggressive pursuit of the perpetrators as a way to apprehend them and recuperate the carted-away weapons.

“The state of affairs stays beneath management, whereas troops proceed to maintain heightened vigilance to forestall any additional safety breach and reassure residents of their security.

“The public is urged to stay calm, go about their lawful actions and volunteer credible data that might help safety companies of their ongoing efforts.”