At least five people have reportedly been killed in a series of attacks across communities in Plateau State, while a pastor who was abducted along the Jos-Bokkos road was later found dead.
The deceased pastor was identified as Hills Emmanuel, a former pastor with Dunamis Church and founder of The Wonderful Grace of God Evangelical Ministry in Bokkos.
Emmanuel was reportedly travelling from Jos to Bokkos on Friday alongside another cleric, Pastor Gabriel Dipak of the Christ Apostolic Church, when armed men intercepted the commercial vehicle they were travelling in along the Barkin Ladi-Bokkos road.
The two clerics were among nine passengers in the vehicle. The attackers reportedly took the pastors away and dispossessed the other passengers of their phones and cash before releasing them.
Emmanuel’s body was subsequently discovered early Saturday near the location where the abduction occurred. Pastor Dipak, however, remained in captivity, with reports indicating that his abductors had contacted his family.
Other attacks were reported later in communities within Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas.
In Fang village, Bachi District of Riyom LGA, a woman was reportedly killed during an attack at about 9pm on Friday.
Two additional people were reportedly killed in Radura village, Fann District of Barkin Ladi LGA, while another person sustained injuries in an attack in Chakfem village, Mangu LGA.
The incidents brought the reported death toll from the separate attacks to five.
The circumstances surrounding the attacks and the identities of those responsible had not been independently confirmed by official security authorities at the time of reporting.
The Plateau State Police Command was also yet to officially confirm the reported abduction, killing of the pastor and other attacks.
The latest incidents have heightened concerns over insecurity in Plateau State, where communities have continued to experience attacks and abductions.
Security authorities are expected to intensify efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents, rescue the remaining abducted victim and bring those responsible to justice.
