A pastor and three members of his household have been killed following a late-night attack by armed assailants in Gako Village, located in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The victims were identified as Reverend Ayuba Choji, his wife Chundung Ayuba, and their children, Cyril and Endurance Ayuba. According to local sources, the attackers stormed the community around 11 p.m., firing indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee for safety.

A resident, Martha Dalyop, recounted that the gunmen invaded the village under cover of darkness, shooting sporadically and creating panic among inhabitants. She expressed concern over the persistent nature of such attacks, noting that many villagers now live in fear, unable to sleep peacefully or farm their land.

The publicity secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident and observed that the attackers appear to have adopted more coordinated strategies. He explained that the assailants often split into groups during operations, with some targeting residents, others destroying farmland, and additional groups blocking escape routes or monitoring movements.

He also revealed that within the last two days, extensive farmland in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, had been destroyed, including crops such as cabbage, pepper, and maize, further worsening the situation for local farmers.

The killings have increased anxiety across Riyom and nearby Barkin Ladi communities, prompting residents to call on security agencies and government authorities to step up efforts to curb the violence and protect lives and livelihoods in the state.