“He was riding with his Fulani friend Adamu. He died instantly in the ambush. The assailants reportedly took Adamu who sustained a leg injury to hospital, leaving Paul’s body by the roadside”.
By Sanni Abdullahi
A youth leader in Plateau State, Mr. Paul Danladi, popularly known as Mafal, has been assassinated despite early warnings that he was on the hit-list of Fulani militants.
Sources said Mr. Paul was killed on Wednesday, October 7, 2025, along the Gashish-Barkin Ladi road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to a security alert that had been issued months before his death, Mr. Paul was among several individuals listed for assassination.
“Mr. Paul was killed yesterday October 7, despite our warnings he was on the Fulani’s hit-list,” the source said.
The source revealed that in late June 2025, following a meeting of Fulani militant leaders at a secret venue outside Abuja, several individuals – both Muslim Fulani and Christian tribes south of Jos, Plateau State – were reportedly listed for assassination for opposing militancy.
“One of them was Paul Danladi aka Mafal. Our team immediately warned those listed directly and through close contacts to be vigilant. Sadly many resumed normal activities,” the source said.
Giving details of how the killing happened, the source said Mr. Paul was riding with his Fulani friend, Adamu, when they were ambushed.
“He was riding with his Fulani friend Adamu. He died instantly in the ambush. The assailants reportedly took Adamu who sustained a leg injury to hospital, leaving Paul’s body by the roadside,” the source disclosed.
Meanwhile, a tribal youth association, Berom Youth Moulders-Association, BYM, has confirmed the killing of its former Gashish District Chairman.
BYM in a statement said Paul Danladi was attacked at Rantis Village along Gashish-Barkin Ladi road on Wednesday, October 7.
The association described the late Paul as a respected youth leader in Gashish District, Barkin Ladi LGA, who was known for his commitment to peace and youth development.
BYM is now demanding an urgent probe into the killing and into alleged propaganda by one Iliyasu Ibrahim Shagari.
According to BYM, Shagari posted minutes after the incident that two Fulanis were killed in Kafi Abu, a claim the association described as misleading and an attempt to divert attention from the assassination.
“BYM is demanding an urgent probe into the killing and into alleged propaganda by one Iliyasu Ibrahim Shagari who posted minutes after that 2 Fulanis were killed in Kafi Abu,” the statement said.
The association also raised alarm over multiple attacks that occurred on the same day in different parts of the state.
“BYM also notes 3 other attacks same day in Foron, Sho Road and Tanjol, Riyom LGA,” the group added.
The killing of Paul Danladi has thrown the Gashish community into mourning, with residents calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities and bring the perpetrators to justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command was yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but sources said investigation has commenced.
Our Correspondent gathered that the incident is yet another devastating occurrence exposing a list of targeted killings in Plateau State, where communal conflicts and armed attacks have continued to claim lives despite several peace initiatives by government and non-governmental organizations.