Reverend Adamu Gyang Wurim, a Pastor of Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), was burnt alongside his family, as suspected herdsmen invaded Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Not less than eight people lost their lives in that attack, which led to 95 houses being razed.

According to The Punch, the Police confirmed the incident, noting that 310 cows were also stolen during the attack, on Tuesday evening.

A branch of COCIN church in Abonong village, Foron district, was among the buildings razed during the attacks.

The attacks came less than 24 hours after a two-day peace summit in Jos, organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern Region, with the theme, ‘Sustainable Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria as a Panacea for Development’.

According to a source, quoted by The Punch, “the attackers, armed with machetes and AK 47 rifles stormed the village at about 8pm on Tuesday, shooting sporadically and burning houses, including part of the Reverend’s house.”

Thomas Tsok, Chairman of the Berom Youth Movement (Foron Branch), who also confirmed the incident, noted that the herdsmen shot two men, who had gone to charge their phones at the pastor’s house. They also destroyed 15 maize farms.

Narrating the incident, Tsok said: “The herdsmen first shot at two young men walking out of the village, where they had gone to charge their phones at the pastor’s house, killing one and wounding the other.”

He also alleged that the attackers rustled 60 cows from nearby Zayit village, where they destroyed a church.

There was also an attack on a mining site in Wereh village, Ropp District in Barkin Ladi LGA, on Tuesday, which resulted in the death of one person, while another person sustaoned injuries.

Matthias Tyopev, spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, who confirmed the killings, said: “On 28/08/2018 at about 2000hrs, the Plateau State Police Command, Jos received information that some communities in Foron District of Barkin Ladi LGA namely: Abonong and Zayit were under attack by unknown gunmen. The command quickly mobilised to the communities.

“While the police were approaching the areas, the attackers sighted them from afar and ran away from the scene of crime. As a result of the attack, eight persons lost their lives, three people were injured, 95 houses were burnt down and 310 cattle were stolen.

“Property and foodstuff were looted and destroyed. The Police Command has deployed more personnel in the areas to prevent further attacks. Investigation is ongoing to track and arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act to face the consequences of their actions.”

Mark Lipdo, Executive Director of Stefanos Foundation, also confirmed the killings, stating that “We received a report today (Wednesday) that Fulani militants on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 attacked Barkin Ladi LGA at Wereh village of Ropp District and killed three people. Also in Fan District, they killed one man.

“In Foron District, around 7pm on Tuesday, a 50-year-old Reverend Adamu Jang of COCIN and his wife with their three children were set ablaze in the pastorium of the Local Church Council premises in Gwol (Mai Idotoro).
“Also in another development, this Wednesday morning, report says soldiers shot and killed a woman and left another person with bullet wounds.”