Suspected militias herdsmen have allegedly killed a clergyman in Mangu, Plateau State.
The clergy is a minister in the Assemblies of God Church.
According to reports, the incident occurred at around 10:00 on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, when gunmen stormed the compound of the clergyman, who resided in Npat village of Kombun District in Mangu, during an alleged attempt to rustle cattle.
The clergyman’s name has not been disclosed.
“The militias forced themselves into the deceased compound at about 10:00 p.m.; the clergyman who had earlier sighted them came out of his house and hid somewhere within, but was spotted where he was hiding by the militias and was shot dead,” a source close to the family told the publication
“The militias not only killed him but went away with his cattle. The clergyman was later found in the pool of his blood and died on the way to the hospital in Mangu town,” the source added.
Militias also killed two youths and injured another in two separate attacks in Plateau State.
The incidents took place in Jol and Byei villages in Riyom Local Government Area on May 25. The attackers are said to have opened fire on the communities, killing Elisha Dalyop and Abednego Davou, and injuring Patrick Joshua.
Joshua is currently receiving treatment at the Christian Hospital in Vom. Hon. Adams Joshua, the councillor representing Jol ward, confirmed the attack and said it occurred around 10 PM.
The attacks raise questions about the ongoing conflicts between Fulani herders and farming communities in the region.
Plateau State has witnessed a spate of violent incidents in recent years, with fatalities regularly reported. Local authorities have been criticized for failing to put measures in place to prevent such attacks and for not addressing the root causes of the conflict. The government has been urged to take urgent steps to address the crisis before the situation spirals out of control.
Civil society groups and other advocacy organizations have called for increased security presence in the affected areas. They have also urged authorities to work toward ending the farmer-herder conflict amicably and to seek practical solutions that will protect the rights of everyone involved. If left unchecked, the violence could lead to further casualties and potentially destabilize the region.
