11 killed, 12 injured as COCIN leader raises alarm over fresh Plateau attack

Crime Diary, International

JOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, Regional Leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), has called on security agencies to urgently intervene in the Sabon Layi community in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State following a deadly attack allegedly carried out by armed assailants.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Dachomo appealed to law enforcement authorities to respond swiftly to the situation in the troubled community.

“Pray for Sabon Layi, Barkin Ladi. All law enforcement agencies should take note and intervene urgently, please,” he said.

The cleric, who has consistently spoken on attacks affecting Christian communities in northern Nigeria, alleged that the assault occurred on May 7, 2026. According to him, initial reports indicating that 10 persons were injured did not reflect the full scale of the incident. “Our findings from the ground today confirm that 12 persons were critically injured while 11 innocent souls were killed,” he stated.

Dachomo said one of the victims was a four-year-old child, lamenting what he described as the growing loss of humanity and compassion amid recurring violence in affected communities.

“Eleven human beings. Eleven destinies. Eleven families thrown into darkness,” he said.

The cleric, who accompanied his statement with graphic images allegedly showing victims of the attack, further accused some sections of the media of downplaying the scale of the violence (denying what he said is a genocide against the people) despite repeated killings in parts of Plateau State. “How many more bodies must be buried before the truth is acknowledged? How many mothers must cry themselves to sleep? How many children must die in silence?” he queried.

Citing several biblical passages, Dachomo urged the international community and relevant authorities not to ignore the plight of victims and displaced families. He said many of the injured victims were struggling to access adequate medical care, while affected families faced difficulties covering treatment and burial expenses.

The cleric also called for justice, protection for vulnerable communities and stronger humanitarian support for survivors of attacks across the region. “The world may choose silence, but Heaven sees every tear. God is watching. And one day, every hidden evil shall be brought into the light,” the statement added.

Authorities in Plateau State had yet to issue an official response on the latest casualty figures at the time of filing this report.

Earlier, Newpost Africa reported the killing of an entire Christian family in Plateau State. The victims — Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife, and two children, Precious and Ishaya — were allegedly killed by radical Islamists on April 27, 2026, and laid to rest three days later in Kwi, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. Their only surviving son managed to escape through a window during the attack.