Rev. Nichodemus Kim of the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN) and 20 other individuals have tragically lost their lives in separate attacks in the Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau, allegedly carried out by suspected gunmen.
Rev. Nichodemus Kim was killed in the Gana-Ropp community of Barkin Ladi, while the other victims were attacked in the Rim, Jol, and Kwi communities of Riyom.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Jos, Mr. Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Movement (BYM), a socio-cultural group, revealed that the attacks occurred simultaneously and were highly coordinated.
The attacks, which took place on Sunday night, left numerous individuals injured, and many have been displaced from their homes.
Tengwong shared the details, stating, “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.”
Tengwong called upon the government and security agencies to find lasting solutions to the recurring attacks and killings in communities.
He further emphasized, “The BYM under the leadership of Solomon Mwantiri, hereby condemns the coordinated attacks and other forms of provocation meted out on innocent persons of Plateau since after the 2023 general elections. We call on the new administration at both 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 must explore every avenue to defend their communities as we cannot sit and watch while they kill us one after another.”
At the time of reporting, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Alabo Alfred, could not be reached for comment. However, the Governor of the state, Mr. Caleb Mutfwang, confirmed the killings and also informed about the kidnapping of a traditional ruler in Mushere, Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Mutfwang assured the residents of the state of his commitment to addressing the escalating attacks, killings, kidnappings, and other security challenges. He urged the people of the state to put their differences aside and unite for the progress and development of Plateau.
