BYM Condemns Killing of Former Gashish District Chairman, Demands Probe of Facebook Post
Our Reporter
The Berom Youth Moulders-Association, BYM, has condemned the killing of its former Gashish District Chairman, Rwas Paul Danladi, by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias along the Gashish–Barkin Ladi road in Plateau State.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, and issued on Tuesday, the association said Danladi was attacked at about 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday around Rantis Village while returning to Barkin Ladi on his motorcycle.
The group described the victim as a respected community leader and extended condolences to his family, friends and the entire Gashish community.
BYM said it is particularly concerned about what it described as the use of social media to distort information and create a false narrative immediately after the killing.
The youth group called on security agencies to urgently investigate the social-media activities of one Iliyasu Ibrahim Shagari, who shortly after the attack posted on Facebook that “two Fulanis were killed in Kafi Abu (Rakwok), the next village after Rantis.”
According to BYM, the timing and content of the post require serious investigation, especially as it was shared by several persons, including one Muhammad Garkuwan Fulbe, who allegedly circulated it across multiple groups.
The youth body urged the Department of State Services, DSS, to thoroughly, impartially and professionally investigate Shagari to establish the source of the information, how it was obtained so quickly, whether it was deliberately intended to mislead the public, and whether it forms part of a broader pattern of propaganda designed to obscure attacks and inflame tensions.
“The incident raises concerns about the growing use of social media as a tool for misinformation and propaganda during violent attacks,” BYM said, adding that security agencies must not only investigate perpetrators of physical violence but also pay attention to coordinated attempts to manipulate public information.
BYM said it is also concerned about other attacks across Berom communities on Tuesday.
According to the statement, one person sustained serious injuries following an attack around Gwom-Ajang in Foron and was taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, for treatment.
In separate incidents along Sho Road, Mafeng Samuel Lamba was reportedly injured and hospitalized, while Bitrus Pam Dadon was reportedly attacked and had his motorcycle stolen.
The group said the incidents followed an attack on Tanjol Village in Riyom Local Government Area on Tuesday night by armed assailants, which was repelled by security personnel without casualties.
BYM called on the Plateau State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the DSS and other security agencies to urgently investigate the killing of Danladi, probe the social media activities surrounding the incident, apprehend those responsible and protect vulnerable communities.
It further urged security agencies to strengthen surveillance along vulnerable roads and communities in Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Riyom and other affected areas and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice irrespective of identity or affiliation.
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