Nine Christians were shot dead by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria’s central Plateau State on Tuesday night (7 November), as they returned from a weekly village market.
Four more were injured during the incident in the Riyom Local Government Area (LGA), which happened at around 7.30pm. Seven were killed instantly, two died later in hospital.
The victims’ names were:
Daniel Shom
Dachollom Shom
Emmanuel Gyang
Daniel Niri
Felix Gwom
Reuben Danbwang
Sunday Danbwang
Dagam Danbwang
Bitrus Chunwang.
Some of them were part of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), others the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA).
According to a villager, Maria Joseph, who witnessed the attack, the victims were returning from the Makera market in a Volkswagen Golf when they were ambushed and shot at the Diyan junction near Gako village.
She added that the assailants were a combination of Fulani and soldiers, who later jumped into an Opel Vectra and zoomed off.
The driver of the Golf, Samson Dagwom, who pretended to be dead, said the attackers were all in tattered clothes and were haggard in appearance.
While he was lying down, he said he heard them speaking in English and Fulfulde (the Fulani language).
Other local sources said some of the assailants were wearing army uniforms, but an army spokesman denied what he said were “unthinkable” allegations.
Captain Umar Adam said the army had launched an investigation and would make public its findings as soon as possible.
Tension and emotions are high in Diyan, Gako and other neighbouring communities, as they mourn the death of their loved ones.
The nine victims were buried in their village, named Rim, in a mass grave yesterday afternoon (8 November).
Stay connected to Saharacable for more update.
Four more were injured during the incident in the Riyom Local Government Area (LGA), which happened at around 7.30pm. Seven were killed instantly, two died later in hospital.
The victims’ names were:
Daniel Shom
Dachollom Shom
Emmanuel Gyang
Daniel Niri
Felix Gwom
Reuben Danbwang
Sunday Danbwang
Dagam Danbwang
Bitrus Chunwang.
Some of them were part of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), others the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA).
According to a villager, Maria Joseph, who witnessed the attack, the victims were returning from the Makera market in a Volkswagen Golf when they were ambushed and shot at the Diyan junction near Gako village.
She added that the assailants were a combination of Fulani and soldiers, who later jumped into an Opel Vectra and zoomed off.
The driver of the Golf, Samson Dagwom, who pretended to be dead, said the attackers were all in tattered clothes and were haggard in appearance.
While he was lying down, he said he heard them speaking in English and Fulfulde (the Fulani language).
Other local sources said some of the assailants were wearing army uniforms, but an army spokesman denied what he said were “unthinkable” allegations.
Captain Umar Adam said the army had launched an investigation and would make public its findings as soon as possible.
Tension and emotions are high in Diyan, Gako and other neighbouring communities, as they mourn the death of their loved ones.
The nine victims were buried in their village, named Rim, in a mass grave yesterday afternoon (8 November).
Stay connected to Saharacable for more update.
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