In a fresh attack that occurred on Sunday night, gunmen killed a pastor, his wife, and two children in Gako Village in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The victims were identified as Rev. Ayuba Choji; his wife, Chundung Ayuba; and their two children: Cyril Ayuba and Endurance Ayuba.
Sources in the community said the assailants stormed the village at about 11 p.m. and opened fire indiscriminately.
Available information indicated that the gunmen invaded the area late at night, shooting sporadically and causing residents to flee for safety.
A community source lamented that the recurring attacks had continued to leave communities in fear, with many unable to sleep in their homes or tend to their farms.
The publicity secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident.
He said the latest attack showed that the assailants were now targeting relaxation spots, farming communities and local vigilantes protecting rural areas.
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According to him, the attackers often split themselves into groups during operations, with some launching attacks on residents and others destroying farmlands, while another group mounts surveillance or blocks roads to prevent escape or intervention.
Tengwong further disclosed that a large expanse of farmland had been destroyed by gunmen in the past 48 hours in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, particularly cabbage, hot pepper and maize farms, worsening the plight of farmers in the affected communities.
The latest incident has heightened tension across Riyom and neighbouring Barkin Ladi communities, with residents calling on security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts to halt the killings and destruction of livelihoods in Plateau State.
