Passengers, pastor among victims

By Golok Nanmwa

JOS — At least nine persons have been killed in separate attacks in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities in Plateau State between Saturday night and Sunday morning, heightening tension in the affected areas.

Five of the victims were passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area when they were attacked on Saturday night, while two others, including a pastor, were reportedly killed on their way to church at Dorowa Babuje on Sunday morning.

National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, MDA, Bulus Dabit, confirmed the killing of the five persons at Gana-Ropp, condemning the attack and calling on security agencies to track down and prosecute those responsible.

Dabit lamented the loss of lives, saying the recurring attacks were causing fear and anguish among residents.

He urged authorities to strengthen security in vulnerable communities and ensure residents could carry out their lawful activities without fear.

Also confirming the incident, Pyem Youth Leader in Gana-Ropp, Ukasha Garaba, said five bodies had been evacuated from the area.

“We evacuated the corpses of five persons from Gana-Ropp. They were passengers who were travelling as labourers,” Garaba said.

He described the attack as painful, saying the victims were travelling to their destination when they were attacked.

Garaba called for urgent measures to protect travellers and prevent further attacks in the area.

In a separate incident, two persons, including a pastor, were reportedly killed while on their way to church at Dorowa Babuje, with tension mounting in Kantoma and surrounding communities in Barkin Ladi.

A woman was also reportedly killed at Baten Wereng in Riyom Local Government Area on Saturday night, September 19, while another person was killed at Ratyidi in Fan District.

Spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders, BYM, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attacks and condemned the killings.

Tengwong described the incidents as worrisome and called on security agencies to urgently strengthen their presence in the affected communities.

“We condemn these attacks in the strongest terms and call on the security agencies to urgently strengthen their presence in the affected communities. The killing of innocent people must stop,” he said.

He said the fresh attacks had further heightened fear among residents and urged authorities to investigate the incidents and arrest and prosecute those responsible.

Tengwong also appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant while urging security agencies to take proactive measures to protect lives and property.

Meanwhile, several cattle were reportedly killed or stolen at Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis at about 3am on Sunday.

Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, in Barkin Ladi, Gambo Abubakar, confirmed reports of cattle being stolen in the area.

He urged security agencies to investigate the incident and take steps to restore calm in the affected communities.
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