A pastor was killed while travelling to a church service in Nigeria’s Plateau State as a series of attacks across several communities reportedly left at least 27 Christians dead within seven days.
Pastor Samuel Nandi was killed on the morning of Sunday, 20 September, while travelling to a church service in Maraban Kantoma, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, according to residents. His son was also shot and was receiving medical treatment, said Da Sambo Chollom, a traditional ruler in Dorowa Babuje.
Chollom said Nandi, who was originally from Borno State, came under attack while travelling to the church.
David Nanpet, an eyewitness documenter with the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), confirmed the pastor’s death to International Christian Concern (ICC). He said attacks had affected communities in Bokkos, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu, with 27 Christians reportedly killed between 13 and 20 September.
Nanpet said gunfire continued around Maraban Kantoma, Rapwomol and Shurum after the pastor was killed.
He also reported what he described as possible drone surveillance around Darwat. According to Nanpet, residents saw a drone over the community and feared it could be linked to armed groups preparing an attack. He said an armoured personnel carrier was also stationed in the area, making direct access difficult.
The reported deaths came during a week of violence affecting several parts of Plateau State. Local reports from communities in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu, Riyom and Jos South recorded multiple attacks.
Nine people were reportedly killed at Dungus Junction in Kuru District, Jos South, after gunmen attacked passengers getting out of a commercial vehicle, according to residents.
Two people were killed in Ta-Hoss village in Riyom and another two in Vodni village in Mangu.
Five people were reportedly killed in Gana-Ropp, Barkin Ladi, on Saturday, 19 September. At least two others were injured in an attack in Ndar, Bokkos.
Earlier in the week, three people were killed and seven others, including a seven-month-old baby, were injured in an attack at a farmers’ market in Mangu.
The latest violence has renewed concerns over security in rural areas of Plateau State, where residents have repeatedly reported armed attacks, displacement and the destruction of homes and farmland.
On Sunday, Maj. Gen. Maxwell Dangana, commander of Operation Endurance Peace, visited some affected communities and pledged to strengthen security measures.
The following day, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas.
The restriction took effect on Monday, 21 September, from 6pm to 6am and was to remain in place until further notice. The state government said the measure was intended to give security agencies greater opportunity to stabilise the affected areas, protect residents and prevent further disorder.
Security personnel were instructed to enforce the curfew, while the government also announced an immediate ban on motorcycles across the three affected local government areas.
Residents were told to arrange their commercial, farming and personal activities around the restricted hours.
The measures followed seven days of reported attacks stretching from communities around Jos South and Riyom to Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos.
Nanpet said the continued reports of gunfire in communities where residents were trying to remain in their homes had also raised concerns about whether security forces were able to detect and respond to attacks before civilians were harmed.
As of Monday, 21 September, movement restrictions remained in place across the three local government areas while security agencies continued operations in communities where residents had reported renewed gunfire.
Based on reporting by International Christian Concern (ICC).
