By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Tragedy struck in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State as gunmen killed a 70-year-old Reverend Father, Mimang Lekyil, in Kwakas community, setting off a chain of violence that left several houses belonging to Fulani residents in flames.
The attack occurred around 9pm on Wednesday when the cleric and his household were settling in for the night. According to local residents, the gunmen stormed the house and opened fire, killing the Reverend on the spot and injuring two women—his wife and her visiting sister. Both victims are currently receiving treatment at Alheri Nursing Home in Dung community.
Bishop Ayuba Matawal, a community leader in Bokkos, confirmed the incident and said the two women were initially abducted but were later rescued by vigilantes and local youth who mobilized in response to the gunshots.
“They shot the Reverend Father in his home. The women were kidnapped briefly but were rescued by youths who gave the kidnappers a hot chase. It appears the Reverend was their target, but they panicked and fled with the women before abandoning them,” Matawal said.
He added that the deceased’s body has been deposited at Luna Mortuary in Bokkos.
The killing has sparked outrage in the community, leading to retaliatory attacks on a Fulani settlement in Dingak village, Mushere Central, where several houses were reportedly set ablaze by angry youths who linked the murder to herdsmen.
Saeed Adamu, a Fulani youth leader in Bokkos, condemned the killing of the cleric but insisted there was no evidence linking members of the herding community to the crime.
“We mourn the loss of the Reverend, but our houses are being burnt based on mere assumptions. There hasn’t been any investigation yet. We urge the security agencies to carry out a thorough probe and bring the actual perpetrators to justice,” Adamu said.
As at the time of filing this report, the spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, had not responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
The situation remains tense in Bokkos as community leaders call for calm while awaiting the outcome of security investigations.