In the early hours of Sunday morning, suspected Fulani herders attacked farmers in Kwi community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. As a result of this attack, one farmer, Nuhu Nyango, was shot dead by the herders when he tried to resist them from grazing on their crops. Solomon Dalyop, a youth leader in Kwi community, provided this information to The in Jos on Sunday.
Dalyop stated that some farmers noticed cows grazing on their crops and went to stop the destruction of their crops, but unknown to them, some herders were hiding in the bush with their guns. When the young farmers tried to chase the cows away, the herders opened fire and shot Nyango dead. The incident has left the community distraught, and they have gathered to bury the deceased.
A spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, was not available to speak on the incident when contacted by reporters as his phones were switched off. This killing marks the latest in the series of attacks on various communities in Plateau State that have left more than one hundred people dead in the past few weeks.
In a statement released on Sunday, Christian leaders in the state, under the auspices of Plateau State Church Denominational Leaders and Spiritual fathers, condemned the brutal killing and urged the government to take proactive measures to address the situation. Rev Dr Stephen Baba Panya, on behalf of the group, signed the statement.
The statement reads, “We are very deeply saddened by the resurgence of mindless killings of innocent citizens, mainly Christians, in Mangu and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State.”
The church leaders view these killings as devilish, barbaric, and an act of genocide against innocent and unarmed villagers. This is the latest example of the continuing tragedy that has engulfed Plateau State over the years. The statement also raises important questions: Who is trying to destroy Plateau State, and why? Are the security agencies in Plateau State handicapped?
The Church leaders called on the government and all security agencies to immediately stop this ongoing massacre from spreading to more communities. They also encouraged Christians to pray for divine intervention, inner strength, and perseverance for the people of Plateau State.
