Gunmen kill man, pregnant wife in Plateau day after Mutfwang’s shoot-on-sight order

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias have killed a young couple in the Angwan Ishaku community of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, barely a day after Governor Caleb Mutfwang authorised security agencies to shoot on sight anyone caught destroying farmlands in the state.

 

Residents said the victims, identified as 30-year-old Iliya Gyang and his 25-year-old pregnant wife, Grace Iliya, were attacked on Wednesday evening in front of their residence while returning from an outing.

 

A resident of the community, Juliana Emmanuel, said the assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire on the couple just as they were about entering their compound.

 

“This killing is so sad because Iliya and Grace were very peaceful people. Grace was heavily pregnant and we expected she would be delivered of her baby before June or July. The couple already had twin boys who are just one year old,” she said.

 

“They were very accommodating and we just don’t understand why they should be targets of these Fulani bandits. They were coming from an outing and were about to enter their compound when they were attacked and killed.”

 

She called on the government and security agencies to arrest those responsible for the attack.

 

“We want the government to do everything possible to arrest the killers of this young couple who were killed in their prime,” Emmanuel added.

 

The Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) also confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong.

 

According to the group, the attackers, who were identified as suspected Fulani bandits, stormed the area on a motorcycle, opened fire on residents and fled the scene.

 

“From information gathered, Mrs Grace Iliya died on the spot, while her husband, Gyang, later died at the hospital from gunshot injuries he sustained. Two other persons sustained injuries, with their conditions yet to be confirmed,” the statement read.

 

The group noted that the attack occurred despite recent security meetings aimed at tackling persistent violence in the area.

 

“BYM condemned this incident and calls on security agencies to intensify operations in the affected communities, while urging the Plateau State Government to support the orphaned children,” the statement added.