Pastor Found Dead After Abduction in Plateau; Four Others Killed in Coordinated Night Attacks
Our Reporter
Plateau State recorded five separate attacks overnight Friday into Saturday that left at least five people dead, including a cleric who was abducted on a major road. The dead include Pastor Hills Emmanuel, founder of The Wonderful Grace of God Evangelical Ministry in Bokkos and a former Dunamis Church pastor. He was abducted on Friday, August 28, alongside Pastor Gabriel Joseph Dipak of Christ Apostolic Church while travelling from Jos to Bokkos.
Witnesses said the attackers, identified as Fulani militants, mounted a roadblock along the Barkin Ladi-Bokkos road, less than a mile from military checkpoints on both sides. They stopped a commercial minivan carrying nine passengers and dragged the two pastors out. The other seven passengers told authorities that the gunmen seized phones and cash before releasing them. Police later recovered the stolen items at the scene.
Pastor Emmanuel’s body was found early Saturday morning, August 29, near the site of the abduction. At about 9 p.m. on Friday, four other attacks occurred 10 to 20 miles away.
In Fang village, Bachi District, Riyom LGA, one woman was killed. In Radura village, Fann District, Barkin Ladi LGA, two people were killed. In Chakfem village, Mangu LGA, at least one person was injured.
As of noon on Saturday, the abductors had contacted the family of Pastor Dipak. Their demands were not disclosed at the time of filing this report.
Community leaders said the attacks targeted Christian-majority communities.
The latest violence adds to the ongoing insecurity in Plateau’s communities, which have experienced repeated assaults and displacement. Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the incidents as of press time.
20
Post Comment