At least nine persons, including a pastor, have been killed in separate attacks by gunmen in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities in Plateau State between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Five of the victims were passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area when they were attacked on Saturday night, while two others, including a pastor, were killed on their way to church at Dorowa Babuje on Sunday morning.

Confirming the killings on Sunday, the National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, Bulus Dabit, said five persons were killed at Gana-Ropp.

Dabit, who condemned the attack said, “The continued attacks are causing pain and fear among residents and should not be allowed to continue.

He called on security operatives to go after the perpetrators and ensure they were brought to book.

The Pyem Youth Leader in Gana-Ropp, Ukasha Garaba, also confirmed the incident

He said, “We evacuated the corpses of five persons from Gana-Ropp. They were passengers who were travelling as labourers.”

In another incident at Dorowa Babuje, two persons, including a pastor, were reportedly killed on their way to church, while a woman was killed at Baten Wereng in Riyom Local Government Area on Saturday night, September 19. Another person was killed at Ratyidi in Fan District.

The spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, who also confirmed the attacks, condemned the killings.

“We learnt that the pastor was going to church when he was attacked and killed. We condemn these attacks in the strongest terms,” Tengwong said.

“The killing of innocent people must stop,” he added.

Tengwong called on security agencies to urgently strengthen their presence in the affected communities, investigate the incidents and ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

Meanwhile, several cattle were reportedly killed or stolen at Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis at about 3am on Sunday.

The Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Barkin Ladi, Gambo Abubakar, confirmed the report of cattle rustling in the area and urged security agencies to investigate and restore calm.

Our reporter learnt that tension has continued to mount in Kantoma and surrounding communities following the attacks.

The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, had yet to respond to inquiries on the incidents when contacted by our correspondent.

However, sources at the command headquarters said the state Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Faniyan, had deployed additional security operatives to the affected communities.