Olushola Omogbehin
Terrorists have killed a pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) with his wife and two children in Gako village, Rim Ward of Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State.
Identified as Ayuba Choji, his wife Chundung Ayuba, and their children Cyril Ayuba and Endurance Ayuba, were said to have been attacked on Sunday night when they stormed the community.
Residents said the attack caused panic and confusion in the community, forcing people to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
Martha Dalyop, said: “They came late in the night and started shooting everywhere. People ran into the bush for safety. We are no longer safe in our own homes.”
Another resident who did not disclose his identity said: “We are living in fear every day because these attacks have become too frequent. People can no longer sleep in their homes, and going to the farms has become a dangerous risk.
“This is not just an attack on one family but on the entire community. Our livelihoods are being destroyed, and many families are already struggling to survive.”
Also confirming the incident, Rwang Tengwong, the spokesperson of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association, said the attackers often split during operations, some attacking residents, others destroying farmlands, while another group blocks roads to prevent escape or intervention.
“The way these attacks are carried out shows clear coordination. While some attack residents, others are busy destroying farms and blocking roads to prevent any form of rescue.”
According to him, within the past 48 hours, large portions of farmland, including maize, cabbage and hot pepper crops, were destroyed in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, a development he warned could worsen food insecurity in the area.
Plateau State is a region seen as the dividing line between the country’s mostly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south where intercommunal violence has been common.
Clashes in the state are rooted in community tensions over land between nomadic herders and indigenous farmers, but exacerbated by the effects of climate change and population rise in the region.
