Plateau Attack: Gunmen Kill 18-Year-Old Community Vigilante
An 18-year-old vigilante member, Divine Dung Davou, has been killed by gunmen in a midnight attack on Rachas Village, Heipang District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack occurred at about 12:30am on Tuesday, according to the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the incident in a statement.
Tengwong said Davou was killed by armed men during the attack, describing the incident as a devastating loss to his family and the Rachas community.
Residents said the teenager had volunteered to help protect the village amid concerns about the lack of security presence at night.
A community leader, who requested anonymity, said Davou was killed while trying to defend the area and appealed to the government to improve security in the community.
Another resident, Mary Chollom, said villagers were frightened by the gunshots and called for the deployment of security personnel.
“We could not sleep last night. The gunshots were too much. We are mostly farmers, and we live in fear,” she said.
A youth in the community, Dalyop Gyang, also called for the arrest of those responsible for the killing and increased security patrols.
Reacting to the incident, BYM called on the Plateau State Police Command and other security agencies to investigate the killing, apprehend the perpetrators and strengthen patrols in vulnerable communities.
The association also urged the state and Federal Governments to implement sustained measures to protect communities repeatedly exposed to attacks.
It expressed condolences to Davou’s family and the people of Rachas, while calling for urgent action to prevent further loss of lives.
Efforts to reach the Plateau State Police Command for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
By Oluwafemi Shodipe.
