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Tension has gripped Rachas Village in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State after gunmen killed an 18-year-old vigilante member, Divine Dung Davou, during a midnight raid.
The attack occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, throwing the rural community into deep mourning and reigniting intense fears over local security.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the tragic incident in a statement, noting, “Divine, who was a vigilante member of the community, was killed at about 12:30 am during a midnight attack by armed men.”
The killing devastated Davou’s family and sparked urgent outcries from residents, who praised his willingness to volunteer to protect his village.
A community leader who requested anonymity expressed their heartbreak, stating, “Divine was just 18 years old. He joined the vigilante to protect our village because we have no security presence here at night. Now he has been killed while trying to protect us. The government should not abandon us.”
Describing the frightening ordeal, resident Mrs Mary Chollom recalled, “We could not sleep last night. The gunshots were too much. We are mostly farmers, and we live in fear. If our vigilante who protects us is killed like this, who will protect us?”
Demanded Justice
Community youth Dalyop Gyang similarly demanded justice, emphasising that “Divine was our brother and a brave young man” who did not deserve to die.
Following the attack, the BYM demanded immediate government and law enforcement intervention to protect vulnerable populations.
Tengwong urged the Plateau State Police Command to investigate the killing, apprehend the perpetrators, and bolster intelligence gathering and rapid response capabilities.
He pressed authorities to take tangible action, asserting, “BYM calls on the Plateau State and Nigerian governments to move beyond routine assurances and implement concrete, sustained measures to protect lives and property, particularly in communities repeatedly exposed to attacks.”
The Plateau State Police Command did not respond to requests for comment before publication.
