A pastor from the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Reverend Musa Hyok, and his two sons, Emmanuel Musa and Mang Musa, were killed in a midnight attack in the Ganawuri town of the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State by gunmen who are thought to be Fulani herdsmen.

According to the Nigerian Tribune, the gunmen, who reportedly numbered around twenty, broke into the neighbourhood at around 11:00 p.m. on March 4, 2023, and went on a shooting rampage to disperse the populace before attacking the pastor’s home.

According to a source from the neighbourhood, the shooters were carrying out a retaliation strike after three Fulani youths were killed nearby a few days prior.

A youth leader in the community, Song Mura, said trouble started when some suspected Fulani kidnappers were arrested during the market day last Wednesday but later escaped into the hands of Fulani vigilante, who were to keep them before the arrival of security operatives.

According to Muru, the situation degenerated into an argument and later escalated to a crisis, leading to the deaths of three youths despite several meetings and appeals for calm.

Spokesperson of the police in the state, DSP Alfred Alabo, who confirmed the incident said the command has commenced an investigation to unravel those behind the attack. 

Meanwhile, security operatives have been drafted to the community to prevent a breakdown of law and order while the victims were buried on Sunday.

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