Pastor, 8 Others Killed In Fresh Plateau Attacks

At least nine persons have been killed in separate attacks in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities in Plateau State between Saturday night and yesterday morning.

LEADERSHIP gathered that five of the victims were passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi local government area when they were attacked on Saturday night, while two others, including a pastor, were reportedly killed on their way to church at Dorowa Babuje yesterday morning.

The national president of the Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA), Bulus Dabit, confirmed the killing of the five persons at Gana-Ropp.

He condemned the attack and called on security operatives to go after the perpetrators and ensure they were brought to book.

Dabit lamented the loss of lives, saying the continued attacks were causing pain and fear among the residents and should not be allowed to continue.

He urged the authorities to strengthen security in vulnerable communities and ensure that residents could go about their lawful activities without fear.

Also confirming the incident, Pyem Youth leader in Gana-Ropp, Ukasha Garaba, said, “We evacuated the corpses of five persons from Gana-Ropp. They were passengers who were travelling as labourers.”

In another incident, two persons, including a pastor, were killed on their way to church at Dorowa Babuje, as tension mounted in Kantoma and the surrounding communities in Barkin Ladi.

A woman was also reportedly killed at Baten Wereng in Riyom local government area on Saturday night, September 19, while another person was killed at Ratyidi in Fan District.

The spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders, BYM, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attacks and condemned the killings, describing the incidents as worrisome and unacceptable.

Tengwong said, “We condemn these attacks in the strongest terms and call on the security agencies to urgently strengthen their presence in the affected communities. The killing of innocent people must stop.”

He lamented that the fresh attacks had further heightened fear among residents, stressing that communities should not continue to lose their people to violence.

Tengwong called for prompt investigation into the incidents and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

He further urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, while appealing to security agencies to take proactive measures to prevent further attacks and protect lives and property in the affected communities.

Meanwhile, several cattle were reportedly killed or stolen at Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis at about 3am on Sunday.

Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, in Barkin Ladi, Gambo Abubakar, confirmed reports of cattle being stolen in the area, urging security agencies to investigate the incident and restore calm.