A series of attacks in Plateau State, Nigeria, has resulted in the deaths of a Baptist Church pastor and nine others. The incidents occurred in different communities in Barakin-Ladi Local Government Area on Saturday night and early Sunday morning. According to reports, gunmen attacked passengers traveling to Gana-Ropp in Barakin-Ladi on Saturday evening, killing six people and injuring others in the vehicle.
The six individuals killed were passengers from Gana-Ropp, traveling to work on a farm in the next community. Ukasha Garba, a resident who witnessed the incident, provided details of the attack. In the early hours of Sunday, a pastor from the Baptist Church, his secretary, and one other person were ambushed and shot dead on their way to church at Dorowa Babuje in the same council area.
The attacks have disrupted church services in neighboring communities, with people abandoning services due to fear of further attacks. Additionally, a woman was reportedly killed at Beaten Wereng in Riyom Local Government Area on Saturday night, while another person was killed at Ratyidiin Fan District. The National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attacks and described them as worrisome and unacceptable.
Tengwong condemned the attacks in the strongest terms and called on security agencies to urgently strengthen their presence in the affected communities. He emphasized that the killing of innocent people must stop and demanded a prompt investigation into the incidents, the arrest, and prosecution of those responsible. Tengwong also urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while appealing to security agencies to take proactive measures to prevent further attacks.
The fresh attacks have heightened fear among residents, with communities continuing to lose people to violence. Tengwong stressed the need for security agencies to protect lives and property in the affected communities. Meanwhile, tension still pervades some parts of Barakin-Ladi Local Government over the killings, as residents fled from the area following renewed gunshots reportedly heard from the direction of Kantoma.
Efforts to contact the spokesperson for the police in the state, SP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful as he could not be reached on his phone. The attacks have raised concerns about the security situation in Plateau State, with calls for increased security presence and measures to prevent further violence. The incidents have also highlighted the need for a thorough investigation into the causes of the attacks and the identification of those responsible.
The impact of the attacks on the local community is significant, with many residents living in fear of further violence. The disruption of church services and the displacement of residents have added to the trauma and stress caused by the attacks. As the situation continues to unfold, there is a growing demand for security agencies to take decisive action to prevent further attacks and bring those responsible to justice.
Key points
- The attacks in Plateau State have resulted in the deaths of a Baptist Church pastor and nine others.
- The incidents have disrupted church services and heightened fear among residents.
- The National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders has called for increased security presence and measures to prevent further violence.
