Pastor, Relatives Killed as Fresh Attacks Leave Nine Dead in Plateau

A pastor and his relatives never made it to church yesterday morning. They were attacked at Dorowa Babuje in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area while on their way to worship, part of a wave of violence across Plateau State that left nine people dead and sent families fleeing into the bush.

The attack on the pastor's family came alongside the killing of five passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in search of work, and two more deaths, including that of a woman, in separate attacks in neighbouring Riyom Local Government Area.

Youth leader in Pye, Gana-Ropp, Ukasha Garaba, confirmed the deaths of the five passengers, saying they had simply been travelling to the area to find work.

He called them "innocent people trying to earn a living" and described their killing as painful.

Garaba urged the authorities to intervene urgently to protect residents and travellers still moving through the area.

National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA), Bulus Dabit, also confirmed the killing of the five passengers at Gana-Ropp and called on security agencies to track down those responsible.

He said the persistent attacks were spreading fear among residents and urged authorities to strengthen security in vulnerable communities.

In Riyom, National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, said a woman had been killed at Baten Wereng on Saturday night, while another person died at Ratyidi in Fan District.

He condemned the killings and called for a prompt investigation, along with the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

As word of the attacks spread, families in Dorowa Babuje began fleeing their homes after fresh gunshots rang out, reportedly from the direction of the neighbouring Kantoma area in Mangu Local Government Area.

Residents said mothers and children bore the brunt of the sudden evacuation.

A resident, Lawrence Shong, described the scene as it unfolded: "Women and children are currently being evacuated because of the ongoing attack. We are still hearing gunshots, and this is forcing people to retreat. Currently, our people are gathering and moving away from this place. The women and children are being taken to safer locations."

Tengwong, who said he was in the community at the time, confirmed the tense atmosphere, noting that persistent gunfire had heightened anxiety among residents.

He said soldiers had already been deployed but stressed that more was needed: "What we need now is sustained security deployment to protect the people and prevent further attacks."

Adding to the unease, Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Barkin Ladi, Gambo Abubakar, alleged that several cattle were killed or stolen around Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis at about 3 a.m. on Sunday, suggesting the violence had struck at families' livelihoods as well as their lives.