Pastor killed, monarch kidnapped as gunmen attack Plateau communities

Gunmen have killed Nichodemus Kim, a reverend of the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau state.

Twenty other people were also killed in Riyom LGA.

The pastor was killed at Gana-Ropp community of Barkin Ladi, while others were killed in Rim, Jol, and Kwi communities of Riyom.

Rwang Tengwong, national publicity secretary of the Berom Youth Movement (BYM), a socio-cultural group, said the attacks occurred on Sunday night.

Tengwong said the communities were attacked simultaneously, adding that they were highly coordinated.

He said many persons were injured and scores are currently displaced.

“Twenty-one persons were killed and several others injured on Sunday during coordinated attacks by militias on residents of Rim, Jol, Kwi communities of Riyom as well as Gana-Ropp community in Barkin Ladi,” he said.

“Two persons were killed at Rim, Seven at Jol, 11 at Kwi, all in Riyom, while a clergyman, Rev. Nichodemus Kim, was killed in Gana-Ropp Barkin Ladi.

“The attacks on Rim, Jol and Kwi were coordinated and held between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday.

“In Kwi, an entire community, Hei-gwe, was razed and over 100 farmlands destroyed.”

Tengwong called on the government and the security agencies to work out lasting solutions to the spate of attacks and killings in communities.

“The BYM under the leadership of Solomon Mwantiri, hereby, condemns the coordinated attacks and other forms of provocation meted out on innocent persons of Plateau since after the 2023 general elections,” he said.

“We call on the new administration, both at federal and state levels, to come up with new strategies to address the security situation in the country and particularly in Plateau.

“Security personnel must also wake up to their statutory responsibilities to safeguard lives and property.

“BYM equally calls on the Berom nation to remain calm and law abiding, but must explore every avenue to defend their communities as we cannot sit and watch while they kill us one after another.”

Reacting, Caleb Mutfwang, the governor, in a statement by Gyang Bere, his director of press, reiterated his commitment to tackling the spate of attacks, killings, kidnapping and other security challenges currently facing the state.

The governor also confirmed the kidnap of a traditional ruler in Mushere, Bokkos LGA of the state.

“Let me assure the people that we are retooling the security apparatus of the state and by the special grace of God we will have a secured Plateau,” he said.

The governor called on residents of the state to keep away their differences and unite to move the state forward.