There was tension in Gako Village in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday night when gunmen launched a new attack, killed a pastor and three members of his family.
The victims were identified as Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife, Chundung Ayuba, and their two children, Cyril Ayuba and Endurance Ayuba.
According to report, the gunmen invaded the village at about 11 p.m. and opened fire indiscriminately.
A community member, Martha Dalyop, who spoke to Vanguard, said the gunmen stormed the area late at night, shooting sporadically and causing residents to flee for safety.
She lamented that the recurring attacks had continued to leave communities in fear, with many unable to sleep in their homes or tend to their farms.
The publicity secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, Rwang Tengwong, while confirming the incident, said the latest attack showed that the assailants were now targeting relaxation spots, farming communities and local vigilantes protecting rural areas.
He stated that the assailants often split themselves into groups during operations, with some launching attacks on residents and others destroying farmlands, while another group mounts surveillance or blocks roads to prevent escape or intervention.
According to him, a large expanse of farmland had been destroyed by gunmen in the past 48 hours in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, particularly cabbage, hot pepper and maize farms, worsening the plight of farmers in the affected communities.
Fear as gunmen kill pastor, wife, children in fresh Plateau attack
Punch Nigeria
Daily Post