By Akinwale Kasali
Following his abduction by suspected gunmen along the Barkin Ladi-Bokkos road in Plateau State, Pastor Hills Emmanuel, Founder, The Wonderful Grace of God Evangelical Ministry in Bokkos, has been killed.
According to reports, the former Dunamis Church Pastor, a Ghanaian-Nigerian Cleric was abducted on Friday, August 28, alongside Pastor Gabriel Joseph Dipak of the Christ Apostolic Church, as they journeyed from Jos to Bokkos when their Commercial Minivan was intercepted by unknown gunmen who mounted a roadblock along the Barkin Ladi-Bokkos road.
Eyewitness account identified the attackers as, allegedly, suspected Fulani militants and said the roadblock was less than a mile from Military Checkpoints on both sides of the road.
The gunmen reportedly stopped the vehicle, which was carrying nine passengers, and dragged Emmanuel and Dipak out.
According to witnesses, the attackers also seized phones and cash from the other passengers before allowing them to leave.
Sadly, Emmanuel’s body was found early on Saturday, August 29, near the area where the abduction took place.
Report states that Dipak still remains in captivity. The abductors have reportedly contacted his family, but as at the filing of this report, their demand is yet to be ascertained.
The killing of Pastor Emmanuel is just one of several attacks in Bokkos and in the entire Plateau State.
It was also reported that the killing of the Clergyman came amid series of other attacks reported across Plateau State on the same night.
It was gathered that at about 9pm, a Woman was killed in Fang Village, Bachi District of Riyom Local Government Area, while another Two were killed in Radura Village, Fann District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
One person was said to have also been injured in an attack on Chakfem village in Mangu Local Government Area.
The incidents according to reports occurred within about 10 to 20 miles of one another.
Villagers alleged that the suspected unknown gunmen were responsible, alleging that Christians were their targets.
This has however brought to fore the persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where communities have suffered repeated killings, abductions and displacement.
Over the years, the insecurity issues bedeviling the State has consistently been linked to farmer-herder disputes and wider insecurity issues affecting the communities.
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