Pastor Musa Hyok of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) and his sons Emmanuel Musa and Mang Musa were murdered in the Ganawuri hamlet of the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State by people who are believed to be Fulani herdsmen.
About twenty gunmen raided the neighborhood at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and opened fire, scattering the locals so they could more easily target the pastor’s house.
The Tribune reports that a local source said the shooting was a retaliation for the recent deaths of three Fulani adolescents in the neighborhood.
A local youth leader named Song Mura said the issue began when some suspected Fulani kidnappers were detained during the market day last Wednesday, but they escaped into the hands of Fulani vigilantes who were supposed to retain them until the arrival of security personnel.
Muru claimed that after multiple discussions and pleas for peace, the situation evolved into an altercation and eventually escalated to a crisis, resulting in the deaths of three young people.
DSP Alfred Alabo, a spokesman for the State Police, confirmed the attack and said an inquiry had been launched to determine who was responsible.
While the victims were being laid to rest on Sunday, security personnel were sent to the area to ensure that law and order were maintained.
