Gunmen on Sunday attacked some communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, killing a pastor of the Church of Christ in Nation, Rev. Nichodemus Kim, and 20 other residents.
According to a statement on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Movement, Mr. Rwang Tengwong, the pastor was killed in Gana-Ropp community of Barkin Ladi, while others were killed in the Rim, Jol, and Kwi communities of Riyom.
Tengwong, who disclosed that the communities were attacked simultaneously, said that the attacks were highly coordinated.
He further disclosed that the attacks happened on Sunday night when many residents were about going to bed,.adding that many people were injured and displaced.
He said: “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.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the Gostate governore, Caleb Mutfwang, confirmed the killings in a statement by Mr Gyang Bere, his Director of Press and Public Affairs.
The governor also confirmed the kidnapping of a traditional ruler in Mushere, Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.
He assured the residents of the state of his commitment to addressing the spate of attacks, killings, kidnappings, and other security challenges currently facing the state.
“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 called on the residents of the state to keep aside their differences and unite towards moving the state forward.
Source: NAN