Horror in Plateau: Gunmen Slaughter Pastor, Wife, and Children in Brutal Village Attack
A pastor and three family members were killed in a Sunday night attack by gunmen in Gako Village, Plateau State, causing residents to flee for safety. The incident highlights recurring violence and a shift in assailants' tactics, who are also destroying farmlands in the region. Local authorities confirmed the attack and detailed the coordinated nature of the assaults.
Gako Village in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State experienced a night of terror on Sunday when gunmen launched a deadly attack, resulting in the deaths of a pastor and three members of his family. The victims were identified as Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife Chundung Ayuba, and their two children, Cyril Ayuba and Endurance Ayuba. The assailants reportedly invaded the village around 11 p.m., opening fire indiscriminately and causing widespread panic among residents.
A community member, Martha Dalyop, recounted the harrowing experience, stating that the gunmen stormed the area late at night, shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee for safety. She expressed deep concern over the recurring nature of these attacks, which have left communities in a constant state of fear, making it impossible for many to sleep in their homes or tend to their farms.
Rwang Tengwong, the publicity secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, confirmed the tragic incident. He highlighted a concerning shift in the assailants' tactics, noting that they are now targeting relaxation spots, farming communities, and local vigilantes tasked with protecting rural areas. Tengwong further explained that the attackers often operate in coordinated groups during their operations. One group focuses on launching attacks on residents, another is dedicated to destroying farmlands, while a third group reportedly mounts surveillance or blocks roads to prevent any escape or intervention by security forces.
In addition to the direct attacks on residents, the assailants have also been responsible for significant destruction of agricultural land. Tengwong disclosed that a large expanse of farmland in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, particularly involving cabbage, hot pepper, and maize farms, had been destroyed in the 48 hours preceding the Gako Village incident. This widespread destruction of crops has severely worsened the plight and hardship faced by farmers in the affected communities.