JOS, Nigeria – Nichodemus Kim, a pastor of the Church of Christ in Nation, and 20 other individuals were killed by suspected gunmen in coordinated attacks across several communities in the Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Movement, disclosed this in a statement, highlighting the simultaneous nature of the attacks and their significant level of coordination.
The incidents occurred on Sunday, June 11, 2023, resulting in numerous injuries and large-scale displacement of residents.
According to Tengwong, “Twenty-one persons were killed, and several others injured on Sunday during coordinated attacks by militias on residents of Rim, Jol, Kwi communities of Riyom as well as Gana-Ropp community in Barkin Ladi”.
He provided further details, stating that “Two persons were killed at Rim, Seven at Jol, 11 at Kwi, all in Riyom, while a clergyman, Rev. Nichodemus Kim, was killed in Gana-Ropp Barkin Ladi.”
Tengwong called for immediate government and security action to curb the incessant attacks, demanding a long-lasting solution to the security crisis plaguing the region.
The Berom Youth Movement under the leadership of Solomon Mwantiri also issued a condemnation of the attacks and urged the Berom nation to remain law-abiding yet vigilant.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Alabo Alfred, was unavailable for comments.
However, the Governor of the state, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, confirmed the killings and the kidnapping of a traditional ruler in Mushere, Bokkos Local Government Area.
Governor Mutfwang assured residents of his commitment to addressing the state’s security challenges, stating, “Let me assure the people that we are retooling the security apparatus of the state and by the special grace of God, we will have a secured Plateau”.
He also called for unity among the state’s residents in these challenging times.
