A pastor of the Church of Christ in Nation, Reverend Nicodemus Kim, along with 20 individuals, fell victim to suspected gunmen in the Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
The targeted attack on Reverend Kim took place in the Gana-Ropp community of Barkin Ladi, while the others were killed in the Rim, Jol, and Kwi communities of Riyom.
Mr. Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Movement, a socio-cultural group, revealed the distressing news in a statement released on Tuesday in Jos.
Tengwong emphasized that the attacks occurred simultaneously and displayed a high level of coordination, further underscoring the severity of the situation.
The assailants launched their offensive on Sunday night, resulting in numerous injuries and the displacement of many individuals.
“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. Two persons were killed at Rim, seven at Jol, and 11 at Kwi, all in Riyom, while a clergyman, Rev. Nicodemus Kim, was killed in Gana-Ropp Barkin Ladi,” Tengwong stated.
Tengwong called upon the government and security agencies to devise long-term solutions to address the recurring attacks and killings in these communities. Tengwong strongly condemned the orchestrated assaults and other forms of provocation suffered by innocent people of Plateau following the 2023 general elections.
The Berom Youth Movement, led by Solomon Mwantiri, expressed its strong disapproval of the attacks and demanded that the new administration at both federal and state levels devise effective strategies to tackle the security situation in Plateau State.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Alabo Alfred, was unavailable for comment. However, Governor Caleb Mutfwang confirmed the tragic incidents in a statement relayed by Mr. Gyang Bere, his Director of Press and Public Affairs.
Governor Mutfwang also acknowledged the kidnapping of a traditional ruler in Mushere, Bokkos Local Government Area, assuring the state’s residents of his commitment to addressing the escalating incidents of attacks, killings, kidnappings, and other security challenges.