A Christian missionary, his daughter, and son-in-law have been killed, while his three-month-old grandchild was injured, in a brutal attack by suspected herdsmen in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State.
The victims were ambushed around 10 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, on a bridge linking Gassa and Nding communities in Fan District.
WHAT HAPPENED
Rev. Bulus Madaki, a missionary with Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), was transferring to Gwol DCC when gunmen attacked his family en route.
According to family members and the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), the assailants shot the victims at close range.
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Rev. Madaki – killed
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Daughter – killed
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Son-in-law – killed
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Three-month-old grandchild – injured, currently receiving treatment at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH)
SUSPECTED PERPETRATORS
The National Publicity Secretary of BYM, Rwang Tengwong, said the attackers are believed to be terrorists operating from Jong area of Ropp District, which is suspected to be their hideout.
The association condemned the incident, describing it as part of a coordinated wave of violence across Plateau State, emphasising that such attacks are not isolated events.
SECURITY CONTEXT
Despite a state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, insecurity has intensified, with security forces contending with:
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Kidnappers
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Terrorists
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Bandits
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Other criminal groups
Plateau and Benue States remain the hardest hit, particularly by killer herdsmen, despite ongoing deployments of security personnel.
WHY THIS MATTERS
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Highlights persistent insecurity in central Nigeria
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Underlines the vulnerability of civilians, including religious workers
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Signals ongoing challenges in containing herdsmen violence despite federal interventions
