RIYOM, Nigeria — Unidentified assailants have killed two teachers and wounded the Vice Principal at BECO Comprehensive School Kwi, located in the Riyom local government area of Plateau State.
Recent months have witnessed escalating violence in this region.
In particular, Mangu, Riyom, and Barakin-ladi local government areas have experienced a series of deadly assaults by gunmen, leading to numerous fatalities and extensive property and farmland damage.
The school’s principal, Mr. Dantoro Gyang, verified the incident and shared that the staff were in a routine meeting around 2:00 p.m on Monday when some herdsmen brought their cattle into the school grounds for grazing. The school’s security personnel confronted them.
While discussing their incursion, other school staff emerged from the meeting to discern the situation. Mr. Gyang stated, “It escalated when two herdsmen suddenly drew guns and shot two of our teachers on the spot. The Vice Principal (Administration), Mr. Dalyop Emmanuel Ibrahim, and another individual were shot in the abdomen.”
One injured victim is currently being treated at the General Hospital Riyom, while the Vice Principal has been transferred to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for advanced care.
Barrister Solomon Dalyop, President of the Berom Youth Moulders, BYM, termed the event as yet another terrorist attack aimed at Plateau State residents.
He further stressed, “To end this reign of terror by the herdsmen, we need a ban on open grazing. The persistent threats faced by the people of Plateau State and the broader middle belt region are intertwined with this issue.”
The Plateau State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Alfred Alabo, commented that the command hasn’t yet received a formal report about the incident but committed to revert once details are available.
Federal Lawmaker Musa Bagos Seeks Immediate Action on Plateau’s Rising Death Toll
Musa Bagos (PDP-Plateau) issued an urgent appeal for justice on Friday, August 11, 2023, urging security agencies to swiftly apprehend and prosecute those responsible for the recent fatal attacks in the Heipang District, Barkin Ladi Local Government of Plateau State.
The deplorable incident on Thursday, August 10, 2023, saw unidentified gunmen launch deadly assaults on the Baton and Rayogot communities, resulting in the tragic deaths of 21 individuals and injuring several more.
The specific motives behind this attack remain unclear, further unsettling the already anxious local population.
Representing the Jos South/Jos East Constituency and currently holding the House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology chairmanship, Bagos did not mince words in his statement.
Describing the attack as both “barbaric and unfortunate,” he underscored the pressing need for justice in light of the increasing number of violent incidents.
“A situation where innocent and peaceful people are killed in their sleep without the perpetrators being brought to justice is unacceptable,” Bagos remarked.
In recent months, Plateau state, especially regions like Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Riyom, has witnessed a troubling surge in violent activities. The pervasive sense of insecurity has drastically altered the rhythms of daily life for many.
“Hundreds of people have lost their lives in the last four months; villagers can’t go to their farms for fear of the unknown,” Bagos disclosed. He also highlighted the plight of numerous displaced residents and relying on makeshift camps for shelter.
Beyond the human toll, the agricultural community has suffered immensely, with crops routinely destroyed, underscoring the multi-dimensional impact of such attacks.
“What a wicked world!” exclaimed Bagos, summarizing the collective sorrow and exasperation felt by many. As the state grapples with these challenges, the demand for effective action and justice remains paramount.
