Suspected gunmen have attacked communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau, killing the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN) pastor, Rev. Nichodemus Kim, and 20 other people. The attacks occurred in Rim, Jol, and Kwi communities in Riyom, and Gana-Ropp community in Barkin Ladi on Sunday evening.
Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Movement (BYM), a socio-cultural group, described the attacks as highly coordinated, with the communities attacked simultaneously. Many people received injuries, and scores are now displaced.
Tengwong has called on the government and security agencies to develop lasting solutions to the spate of attacks and killings in communities. He condemned the violence and other forms of provocation meted out on innocent Plateau residents since the 2023 general elections. He urged the new administration at the federal and state levels to adopt new strategies to address insecurity in the country and on the Plateau.
The governor of Plateau, Caleb Mutfwang, confirmed the killings and the kidnapping of a traditional ruler in Mushere, Bokkos Local Government Area of the state. Mutfwang expressed his commitment towards tackling insecurity challenges in the state.
The Berom Youth Movement has also called on the Berom nation to stay calm and law-abiding, while exploring every avenue to defend their communities. They emphasized that they could not sit by and watch while they are slaughtered one after another.
The attacks come amid a growing insecurity crisis across Nigeria, with calls for swift and decisive action to restore peace and security to the country.
