A pastor abducted while travelling along the Jos-Bokkos road in Plateau State has been found dead, while four other people were reportedly killed in separate attacks across three local government areas.
The pastor was identified as Hills Emmanuel, a former pastor with Dunamis Church and founder of The Wonderful Grace of God Evangelical Ministry in Bokkos. He was reportedly travelling with Gabriel Dipak, a pastor with the Christ Apostolic Church, when the two clerics were abducted on Friday.
The pair were among nine passengers travelling in a commercial minivan from Jos to Bokkos when they reportedly encountered a roadblock along the Barkin Ladi-Bokkos road. The attackers allegedly took phones and cash from the other passengers before releasing them. The stolen items were later reportedly recovered by police at the scene.
Emmanuel’s body was found early Saturday near the location where the abduction took place, according to reports by conflict journalist Masara Kim and other media outlets. Dipak was still reportedly being held by his abductors as of midday Saturday, with the kidnappers said to have contacted his family. It was not immediately known whether they had demanded a ransom.
Other attacks were reported later in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu local government areas. A woman was reportedly killed at about 9pm on Friday in Fang village, Bachi District, Riyom Local Government Area.
Two more people were reportedly killed in Radura village, Fann District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, while another person was injured during an attack in Chakfem village, Mangu Local Government Area.
The reported incidents bring the death toll to five, including Emmanuel. However, the circumstances surrounding the attacks and the identities of those responsible remain unclear.
Attempts to obtain official confirmation from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful. Police spokesperson Alfred Alabo reportedly did not respond to calls and messages seeking confirmation of the abduction, killing and other attacks.
Reports that the incidents were carried out by the same group could also not be independently verified. The latest violence adds to continuing security concerns in Plateau State, where communities have faced recurring killings and abductions despite ongoing security operations.
