David Nanpet, an eyewitness documenter with the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), was monitoring reports of renewed attacks across Plateau state when he received news that a pastor had been killed on his way to church. 

“Yes, it is true,” Nanpet told International Christian Concern (ICC), confirming the killing of the pastor and reporting that 27 Christians had been killed in attacks across communities in Bokkos, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu over seven days. 

Pastor Samuel Nandi was killed on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 20, while traveling to a church service in Maraban Kantoma, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, residents said. His son was also shot and was receiving medical treatment, according to Da Sambo Chollom, a traditional ruler in Dorowa Babuje. 

Chollom said Nandi, who was originally from Borno State, was attacked while traveling to church. 

Nanpet, who documents attacks affecting communities in Plateau state, said gunfire continued around Maraban Kantoma, Rapwomol, and Shurum after the pastor was killed. 

“The pastor was on his way to church. They attacked him and killed him,” Nanpet said in a message describing the attack. 

He appealed for assistance from Christians in the diaspora for communities affected by the violence. 

Nanpet also reported what he described as a possible drone surveillance operation around the Darwat community. 

“A drone was seen spying on the whole of the Darwat community this night,” he said, adding that residents believed the device could be connected to armed groups preparing an attack. 

He said an armored personnel carrier was stationed in the community, making a direct approach difficult, and residents feared an attempt to coordinate an attack while security personnel were unaware. 

The reports came as attacks were recorded across several Plateau communities between Sept. 13 and Sept. 20. 

At least 27 people were killed during the period, according to local reports compiled from the affected communities. The incidents occurred in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu, Riyom, and Jos South local government areas. 

Nine people were killed at Dungus Junction in Kuru District, Jos South, when gunmen attacked passengers disembarking from a commercial vehicle, according to residents. 

Two people were also killed in Ta-Hoss village in Riyom, while another two were killed in Vodni village in Mangu. 

Five people were killed in Gana-Ropp, Barkin Ladi, on Saturday, Sept. 19, while at least two others were injured in an attack in Ndar, Bokkos. 

Earlier, three people were killed and seven others, including a seven-month-old baby, were injured during an attack at a farmers’ market in Mangu. 

The latest deaths brought renewed attention to the security situation in Plateau’s rural communities, where residents have repeatedly reported armed attacks, displacement, and the destruction of homes and farmland.  

On Sunday, the Commander of Operation Endurance Peace, Maj. Gen. Maxwell Dangana, visited some affected communities and pledged to strengthen security measures. 

The following day, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu local government areas. 

The state government announced that the curfew took effect on Monday, Sept. 21, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice. The government said the measure was intended to allow security agencies to stabilize the affected areas, protect residents, and prevent further breakdown of law and order. 

Security personnel were directed to enforce the restriction, while the government also announced an immediate ban on the use of motorcycles throughout the affected jurisdictions. 

Residents were instructed to organize commercial, agricultural, and personal activities around the restricted hours. 

The curfew followed seven days of reported attacks stretching from communities around Jos South and Riyom to Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos. 

For Nanpet, the continuing gunfire around communities where residents are trying to remain in their homes has also raised questions about the ability of security forces to detect and respond to attacks before they reach civilians. 

As of Monday, Sept. 21, the Plateau State Government had imposed movement restrictions across three of the affected local government areas while security agencies continued operations in communities where residents reported renewed gunfire. 

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