Suspected Fulani Militants Attack Another Plateau Community, Kill Pastor’s Son

A young man, believed to be the son of a pastor with the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), has been killed in a fresh attack by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militants in Kuk village, Gashish District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack reportedly happened on Sunday night.

Conflict journalist Masara Kim Usman, who confirmed the incident on his Facebook page, said the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the pastor’s residence at about 10:30 p.m. and opened fire, killing the pastor’s son.

Usman wrote:

“Armed militants identified by local sources as Fulani reportedly attacked the residence of a COCIN pastor in Kuk village, Gashish District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area at about 10:30pm.

“According to local sources, between three and five gunmen forcibly broke into the home of the leading Pastor of the Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN, in Kuk, firing automatic weapons for several minutes. The Pastor’s son was fatally shot during the invasion.”

He added that the attackers were forced to flee after local civilian guards responded quickly and engaged them. Soldiers later arrived from a nearby military base, preventing further harm to the pastor’s family.

Meanwhile, the President of the Berom Youth-Moulders Association (BYM), Solomon Mwantiri, revealed that a security warning had been issued before the attack.

The alert read:

“Urgent Terror Alert – Barkin Ladi, Riyom LGAs, Plateau State, Nigeria.

“Armed men identified by locals as Fulani militants have been sighted advancing toward villages 30–35 miles south of Jos.

“As of 1900hrs WAT Sunday, August 2, gunshots are reportedly being heard in the distance around Rim village in Riyom LGA. Another armed group on motorcycles has been spotted moving toward Ropp District in neighboring Barkin Ladi LGA, according to local sources.

“Communities such as Rim, Gwon, Gwa-Rim, Jol, Tanjol, Wereng and surrounding settlements in Riyom LGA; Wereh, Dorowa Babuje, Nding and surrounding settlements in Barkin Ladi LGA are advised to be on high alert.

“Residents should maintain maximum vigilance, avoid isolated routes, and report any suspicious movement immediately to community leaders and security agencies.

“The military and other law enforcement agencies are urged to reinforce security presence in these areas urgently.”