Gunmen have launched another deadly attack in Plateau State, killing a pastor and three members of his family in Gako Village, located in Riyom Local Government Area.
The victims were identified as Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife Chundung, and their two children, Cyril and Endurance. Residents said the attackers struck late at night, around 11 p.m., firing gunshots that sent villagers running into nearby bushes to escape.
A local resident, Martha Dalyop, described the incident as part of a troubling pattern of repeated violence in the area. According to her, many people now live in constant fear, often unable to sleep in their homes or return to their farms.
Confirming the attack, the Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, Rwang Tengwong, said the assailants appeared to carry out their operations in a coordinated manner. He explained that while one group launches the attack, others move to destroy farmlands or block escape routes, making it harder for victims to flee or for help to reach them.
He also revealed that in nearby communities, particularly in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, farmlands have been targeted in recent days. Crops such as maize, cabbage, and pepper were reportedly destroyed, adding to growing concerns about food insecurity in the region.
The latest killings have heightened tension across Riyom and surrounding areas, with residents calling on security agencies to step up efforts to protect lives and put an end to the recurring attacks on rural communities.
