There is renewed fear in Plateau State following a deadly night attack in Gako Village, Riyom Local Government Area, where gunmen invaded the community and killed a pastor and three members of his family.
As reported by Daily Post, the victims were identified as Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife, Chundung Ayuba, and their children, Cyril Ayuba and Endurance Ayuba.
Residents said the attackers stormed the village around 11pm on Sunday, shooting sporadically and throwing the entire community into confusion as people fled in different directions for safety.
A community member, Martha Dalyop, said the assailants operated with impunity, unleashing gunfire that forced residents to abandon their homes in the dead of night.
She lamented that repeated attacks in the area had left villagers in constant fear, with many no longer able to sleep peacefully in their homes or freely access their farmlands.
The incident was confirmed by the Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, Rwang Tengwong, who said the latest assault reflected a worrying pattern of coordinated attacks across rural communities.
He alleged that the attackers often split into groups during operations, with one group targeting residents, another destroying farmlands, while others block escape routes and monitor movements.
Tengwong further disclosed that farmlands in parts of Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, had also been destroyed within the last 48 hours, with crops such as maize, cabbage and pepper reportedly ruined.
He said the situation was worsening food insecurity and deepening hardship for farmers already affected by insecurity in the state.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the latest attack.