Fresh attacks in Katsina, Plateau claim 15 lives

…Pastor, wife, children among those killed

…ECWA decries worsening insecurity

Fifteen persons, including Ayuba Choji, a Pastor with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) have been killed in fresh attacks masterminded by suspected bandits and unknown gunmen in the two Northern States.

In Katsina, suspected bandits killed 11 persons in Gurbi Village of Kankara Local Government Area on Sunday afternoon, while unknown gunmen killed Ayuba Choji, alongside his wife and two children in Gako Village, Rim Ward of Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State.

Choji and his wife Chundung as well as their children, Cyril and Endurance, were reportedly attacked late Sunday night when assailants stormed the Community, shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes.

Confirming the killing of 11 persons in Katsina, Abubakar Sadiq, the Katsina State Police Command Public Relations Officer, in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday, said the attackers also left two people injured.

“The Katsina State Police Command regrets to inform the public of a bandits’ attack on Gurbi Village, Kankara LGA, Katsina State, which occurred at about 2:40pm on April 26th, 2026.

“Suspected armed bandits attacked the village and fatally shot 11 persons while two others sustained varying degrees of injury before the arrival of security agencies.

“On receipt of the distress call, a joint security team comprising the police, military, and other sister security agencies, led by the DPO, promptly mobilised to the scene. The assailants fled on sighting the advancing security forces.

“Normalcy has since been restored to the area. The injured victims were evacuated to a nearby hospital for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased have been released to their families for burial in line with Islamic rites.

“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Ali Umar Fage, psc (+), mnips, has deployed additional tactical teams to the area to forestall further attacks. He has also directed the Divisional Police Officer and Area Commander to intensify intelligence-led patrols and ensure robust synergy with sister security agencies and community stakeholders”, he said.

But, a resident of Gako Village in Riyom Local Government Area, who spoke to BusinessDay on condition of anonymity, said, “We are living in fear every day because these attacks have become too frequent. People can no longer sleep in their homes, and going to the farms has become a dangerous risk.

“This is not just an attack on one family but on the entire Community. Our livelihoods are being destroyed, and many families are already struggling to survive”.

Confirming the incident on Monday to BusinessDay in Jos, Rwang Tenwong, Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, said the attackers operated in coordinated groups during such raids.

According to Tengwong, while one group engages residents directly, others focus on destroying farmlands or blocking escape routes, making it difficult for victims to flee or receive help during the attacks.

He further disclosed that within the past 48 hours, large portions of farmland, including maize, cabbage and hot pepper crops, were destroyed in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, a development he warned could worsen food insecurity in the area.

Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Command, could not be reached for comments as of the time of filing this report, as his phone lines were not going through.

Meanwhile, the 73rd General Church Council (GCC) of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has raised alarm over worsening insecurity across Nigeria, describing the situation as tragic and unacceptable while calling for decisive and sustained government intervention.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Council meeting held at ECWA International Headquarters in Jos, signed by Ayuba Bagat and Ayuba Asheshe, President and Secretary, respectively, on behalf of the Council and made available to Journalists in Jos.

“The Council expresses profound grief and strong concern over the continued loss of lives and destruction of property among its members as a result of persistent insecurity across the nation.

“These tragic and unacceptable developments highlight the escalating security challenges confronting citizens’ safety and well-being, particularly in vulnerable communities.

“The Council therefore calls on all levels of government to intensify efforts to fulfill their constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property through sustained, intentional, and effective security interventions”; the Council said.