Gunmen Kill Pastor and Eight Others in Fresh Nigeria Plateau State Attacks
Gunmen killed at least nine people across several communities in Plateau State, Nigeria, over the weekend of September 19 and 20, including a pastor shot while walking to Sunday church services in Dorowa Babuje, whose companion was also killed. Separately, five laborers were shot while traveling to work near Gana-Ropp on Saturday night, and other victims were killed in Baten Wereng and the Ratyidi area of Riyom Local Government Area. Attackers also killed or stole cattle from farms in the area.
Local leaders condemned the attacks and called for a stronger security response. Pyem Youth Leader Ukasha Garaba said community members had to evacuate the bodies of five laborers from Gana-Ropp themselves, and Berom Youth Moulders spokesman Rwang Tengwong urged security agencies to strengthen their presence in the area. The attacks are the latest in a long running pattern of violence between herding militias and farming communities across Plateau State, which has repeatedly touched the region's Christian villages this year.
