Two Christian worshippers were shot dead on Sunday in Gwon, a community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, as gunmen unleashed violence across several localities in the region.
The attack reportedly happened shortly after a church service. The victims were said to be preaching the gospel around the area when they were ambushed and gunned down.
The National President of Berom Youth Moulders Association, Solomon Dalyop, confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro, describing how the attackers stormed the community and fired shots indiscriminately.
“They opened fire and shot two people dead. From there, there was so much gunfire into the community until the military task force and vigilante members arrived and repelled the attackers, who retreated to the hills,” he said.
Dalyop condemned the repeated assaults on the communities, expressing concern over the lack of sufficient security in the area. He noted that the attackers exploited these gaps to carry out their mission with ease.
“While we were there trying to bury the two people killed in Gwon village of Rim, there was another attack around the neighbouring Bachit community where a man going home from Fan to Shonong was attacked and shot dead. Again, while we are still mourning that one, a few hours ago, the Fulani militia went to the community headquarters of Rim and attacked the village,” Dalyop continued.
He added that the gunmen launched an intense assault on the Jol community, destroying farmland and causing panic among residents. He said the attackers had even issued threats before the incident and later fulfilled them.
“The attack lasted for about one hour, with a fierce gun battle. The attackers were all over the Jol community area, destroying farm crops as well. They took advantage of inadequate security manpower within the area to perpetrate their atrocities. Not only that, a night before yesterday (Saturday), they (attackers) told the people that they would come in the night and indeed, they came and were firing gunshots everywhere,” he lamented.
He further revealed that another violent incident occurred near Hawan Kibo along the Jos-Abuja Road, where an individual was critically injured and rushed to a hospital.
“That is what is happening in Riyom and even yesterday, they launched an attack near a community in Hawan Kibo along the Jos-Abuja Road and seriously injured one person who was rushed to the hospital. So, this is what the people in Riyom are currently experiencing at the hands of armed Fulani militia and their mercenaries. As it is, the people are mourning and are living in apprehension and fear of their lives, not knowing what will happen next because the bandits numbering over a hundred are well-kitted with arms,” Dalyop concluded.
When contacted, Plateau State Police Command spokesman, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached as his phone was switched off. However, sources within the command said more security personnel had been deployed to the affected communities to manage the escalating situation.
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