18-Year-Old Vigilante Killed In Plateau

Gunmen have killed an 18-year-old vigilante member, Divine Dung Davou, during a midnight attack on Rachas Village in Heipang District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday while Davou was keeping watch over the community.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the killing, describing the victim as a member of the community vigilante group.

He said, “According to information available to the Association, Divine, who was a vigilante member of the community, was killed at about 12: 30 a.m. during a midnight attack by armed men.”

Tengwong said the killing had thrown the victim’s family and residents of Rachas into mourning, while raising fresh concerns over the security of residents in vulnerable rural communities.

He called on the Plateau State Police Command and other security agencies to investigate the incident, arrest those responsible and strengthen security operations in the affected communities.

He said, “BYM calls on the Plateau State Police Command and other security agencies to urgently investigate the killing, apprehend the perpetrators and strengthen security patrols, intelligence gathering and rapid response mechanisms in vulnerable communities.”

The BYM spokesman also urged the Plateau State and Federal Governments to take concrete steps to address recurring attacks and ensure the protection of lives and property.

He said, “We urge the Plateau State and Federal Governments to move beyond routine assurances and implement concrete, sustained measures to protect lives and property, particularly in communities repeatedly exposed to attacks.”

Tengwong expressed the association’s condolences to the bereaved family and residents of Rachas, calling for urgent intervention to prevent further loss of life.

He said, “BYM extends its condolences to the bereaved family and the people of Rachas, while appealing for urgent action to prevent further loss of lives.”

Efforts to get a reaction from the spokesperson of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycap Oteh, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to inquiries from our correspondent as of press time.