A pastor abducted 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 of the state.
The deceased pastor was identified as Hills Emmanuel, a former pastor with Dunamis Church and founder of The Wonderful Grace of God Evangelical Ministry in Bokkos.
Emmanuel and another cleric, Pastor Gabriel Dipak of the Christ Apostolic Church, were reportedly abducted on Friday while travelling from Jos to Bokkos.
The two pastors were among nine passengers in a commercial minivan when armed men reportedly mounted a roadblock along the Barkin Ladi-Bokkos Road. The other passengers were reportedly robbed of their phones and cash before being released.
Emmanuel’s body was later found near the scene of the abduction early Saturday. Pastor Dipak was still reportedly in captivity, with his abductors said to have contacted his family.
Separate attacks were subsequently reported in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas.
A woman was reportedly killed in Fang village, Bachi District of Riyom LGA, while two people were killed in Radura village, Fann District of Barkin Ladi. Another person was reportedly injured during an attack in Chakfem village, Mangu LGA.
The reported incidents bring the number of deaths to five, including Pastor Emmanuel.
However, the Plateau State Police Command had not independently confirmed the attacks at the time of the report. Police spokesperson Alfred Alabo reportedly did not respond to calls and messages seeking clarification.
The identities of the attackers and whether the separate incidents were carried out by the same group also remained unverified.
The latest attacks have heightened concerns over the security situation in Plateau State, where communities continue to face incidents of violence and abductions.
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