Rev. Nichodemus Kim, a pastor of the Church of Christ in Nation, and 20 other people were murdered by armed suspects in the Plateau State local governments of Riyom and Barkin Ladi.
While others were killed in the Rim, Jol, and Kwi settlements of Riyom, the pastor was assassinated in the Gana-Ropp community of Barkin Ladi.
This information was revealed in a statement released on Tuesday in Jos by Mr. Rwang Tengwong, national publicity secretary of the Berom Youth Movement, a sociocultural organization.
The communities were targeted simultaneously, according to Tengwong, who also noted how well-coordinated the attacks were.
The attacks took place on Sunday night, and numerous victims suffered wounds of varying severity. Numerous people have been forced to relocate.
“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, 11 at Kwi, all in Riyom, while a clergyman, Rev. Nichodemus Kim, was killed in Gana-Ropp Barkin Ladi
“The attacks on Rim, Jol and Kwi were simultaneously coordinated and held between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday.
“In Kwi, an entire community, Hei-gwe, was razed and over 100 farmlands destroyed,” he said.
Tengwong pleaded on the government and security organizations to create long-lasting remedies for the frequent assaults and killings in communities. Additionally, he denounced the planned attacks and other provocations made against innocent Plateau residents following the general elections in 2023.
Solomon Mwantiri, the leader of BYM, issued a statement denouncing the assaults.
“We call on the new administration, both at the federal and state levels, to come up with new strategies to address the security situation in the country and particularly in Plateau.
“Security personnel must also wake up to their statutory responsibilities to safeguard lives and property.
“BYM equally calls on the Berom nation to remain calm and law abiding, but they must explore every avenue to defend their communities, as we cannot sit and watch while they kill us one after another,” he said.
DSP Alabo Alfred, the state’s police public relations officer, was unavailable for comment. Caleb Mutfwang, the state’s governor, did, however, confirm the executions in a statement issued by Mr. Gyang Bere, the director of press and public affairs.
The state’s Bokkos Local Government Area’s Mushere traditional leader was kidnapped, the governor added. He reassured the state’s citizens of his dedication to addressing the recent wave of assaults, homicides, kidnappings, and other security issues.
“Let me assure the people that we are retooling the security apparatus of the state and by the special grace of God, we will have a secured Plateau,” he said.
The governor urged the people of the state to put aside their differences and work together to advance the state.
(NAN)
