A renewed wave of violence has hit Plateau State following the killing of a prominent youth leader, Ayuba Pam Choji, by assailants believed to be armed bandits.
Choji, who served as president of the Rahei Foron Youth Congress, was reportedly stabbed to death on Wednesday night along the Kumex Mararaba Foron stretch of the Heipang Foron Road.
A community youth leader, Moses Dung, confirmed the incident to reporters on Friday.
He explained that the forty four year old Choji and another rider were returning home on a motorcycle when armed attackers ambushed them from the nearby bush.
Dung alleged that residents of the community had earlier received several warnings from suspected herders asking them to vacate their settlements or face bloodshed.
Before now, we have been getting threats to leave. Last night, they struck. They attacked two people on a motorcycle without reason.
They stabbed Ayuba Pam Choji and he died from the wounds, he said, adding that a second victim survived the attack.
The Berom Youth Moulders Association expressed outrage over the incident.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, described the killing as barbaric, unprovoked and another grim attempt to forcefully displace natives from their ancestral land.
Tengwong urged security agencies to track down those responsible and ensure they face justice.
He also raised concern over the increasing movement of armed groups across several council areas in the state, calling for stronger patrols and better protection for farming communities.
