It was another mourning day in the Gwon Community of Rim District, in Riyom Local Council of Plateau State after gunmen killed two preachers after a church service on Sunday, July 13.

National President of Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYMA), Solomon Dalyop, who confirmed the attack to journalists yesterday in Jos, said the victims were members of an evangelism team, who were preaching the gospel around the community when they were killed.

Dalyop said in the course of their preaching, the militia appeared from the nearby rocks and opened fire on them, killing the two instantly.

He added that the gunmen went into the village, shooting sporadically until the military task force and vigilantes repelled them, and subsequently, they retreated to the hills.

The BYMA leader who condemned the attacks, called on the government and relevant security operatives to take immediate action to protect the people of Riyom, as they have been at the receiving end of attacks for many years.

He also expressed the frustration of the people of the council with the porous security situation, which the assailants take advantage of to attack them with impunity.

Narrating how the attack took place, Dalyop said immediately the assailants stormed the community, they opened fire indiscriminately, forcing the residents to scamper for safety.

He added that while the community gathered later in the day to bury the deceased, there was another attack in the neighbouring Bachit community, where a man was also shot dead.

(The Guardian, but headline rejigged)

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