Farmer Killed, Pastor Injured as Gunmen Attack Plateau Community

Gunmen suspected by community members to be Fulani militias have reportedly killed a 36-year-old farmer, Steven Bala, and injured a cleric, Pastor Apollos Charly, in an attack on Lamor community in Pushit District, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack reportedly occurred on Wednesday afternoon at a farm owned by Charly, where the assailants allegedly targeted workers. A third man, 57-year-old Danbaba Libet, was reported missing following the incident.

A community youth leader, Bulus Nehemiah, who confirmed the attack, said Bala was killed while the pastor sustained severe injuries but managed to escape.

“During the attack which occurred on Pastor Apollos Charly’s farm, Steven Bala, aged 36, was killed by the Fulani militia. The pastor himself was injured while another man, Mr Danbaba Libet, aged 57, is still missing,” Nehemiah said.

He alleged that armed men had repeatedly attacked communities in Pushit in recent weeks, creating fear among residents and restricting their access to farms during the harvest season.

“In the past few weeks, the Fulani gunmen have been terrorising our communities in Pushit, attacking and killing our people. They have prevented us from going to our farms, especially now that it is harvest season,” he added.

Another community leader, John Sabo, condemned the incident and called on security agencies to investigate the killing, locate the missing man and bring those responsible to justice. He also urged authorities to strengthen security in the area to prevent further attacks and reassure residents.

“We condemn this senseless attack in the strongest terms. No community should be subjected to this kind of violence, and innocent people should not continue to lose their lives,” Sabo said.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful, according to the report, as he did not respond to calls or text messages. The circumstances surrounding the attack and the whereabouts of the missing man remain unclear.