In a tragic turn of events, five individuals, including a Pastor affiliated with the Assemblies of God Church, met their untimely demise as gunmen launched a deadly assault on the Kimakpa community in the Kwall district, Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State.
Although the State Police Command and Operation Safe Haven were unable to provide official confirmation, Sam Jugo, the National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), provided harrowing details of the incident.
Confirming the devastating assault, Jugo revealed, “In the middle of the night of 2nd June 2024, the criminals came in their numbers, invaded, attacked, and killed five of our people at Ari Songo (Songo’s House), at Kimakpa.”
The victims of this heinous act of violence were identified as Pastor Dauda Dalyop (63 years old), Mrs. Chummy Dauda (his wife, 57 years old), Mr. Chwe Ajuhs (26 years old), Mr. Joshua Kusa (45 years old), and Mrs. Rikwe Doro (43 years old). Additionally, two individuals sustained severe injuries and are currently undergoing medical treatment.
Jugo appealed for calm amidst the grief, urging heightened vigilance and restraint from retaliatory actions.
“As much as we are quite saddened by this condemnable incident, we cannot afford to aggravate the situation by seeking self-help at this time,” he stressed.
Expressing solidarity with the affected community, Jugo called upon security agencies to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and ensure that justice is served.
“We call on the security agencies to do the needful by fishing out the culprits so that the affected will see justice being served as that’s the only way to restore the confidence of our people,” he emphasized.
In response to the tragedy, the Transition Committee Chairman of Bassa LGA, Fidelis Adara, along with security personnel, visited the scene to offer condolences and support.
Additionally, a delegation visited the palace of the Brra Nggwe Irigwe (The Paramount Ruler of the Irigwe people), Rev. Ronku Aka, to console the grieving community.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless violence, three of the victims were laid to rest following the visitation, while the bodies of the pastor and his wife were transferred to a mortuary, marking a somber conclusion to a day marred by tragedy and loss.