A former pastor with Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Hills Emmanuel, has been found dead after he was abducted by suspected gunmen in Plateau State.
Newsonspot gathered that Emmanuel, a Ghanaian-Nigerian cleric and founder of The Wonderful Grace of God Evangelical Ministry in Bokkos, was reportedly abducted on Friday, August 28, alongside Pastor Gabriel Joseph Dipak of the Christ Apostolic Church.
The two pastors were travelling from Jos to Bokkos when their commercial minivan was intercepted along the Barkin Ladi-Bokkos road.
According to witnesses, the gunmen mounted a roadblock and stopped the vehicle, which was carrying nine passengers. Emmanuel and Dipak were reportedly dragged out of the vehicle, while the other passengers were allegedly dispossessed of their phones and cash before being allowed to leave.
The stolen items were later reportedly recovered by the police at the scene.
Emmanuel’s body was discovered early on Saturday, August 29, near the location where the abduction reportedly occurred.
Dipak, however, was still being held by his abductors as of noon on Saturday. Reports said the kidnappers had contacted his family, although details of any demands remained unclear at the time.
Witnesses reportedly identified the attackers as suspected Fulani militants, although the allegation had not been independently verified.
The abduction and killing occurred amid a series of attacks reported in different communities across Plateau State on the same night.
At about 9 p.m., a woman was reportedly killed in Fang village, Bachi District of Riyom Local Government Area.
Two other people were also reportedly killed in Radura village, Fann District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, while another person was injured in an attack on Chakfem village in Mangu Local Government Area.
The affected communities are reportedly located within about 10 to 20 miles of one another.
Some residents and sources alleged that the incidents were carried out by the same suspected group and that Christians were specifically targeted. However, the claims could not be independently established from the available reports.
The latest attacks have renewed concerns over the persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where communities continue to face incidents of killings, kidnappings and displacement.
The violence in the region has frequently been associated with farmer-herder conflicts and broader insecurity, while affected communities and advocacy groups have also repeatedly alleged attacks targeting predominantly Christian settlements.
Authorities are expected to investigate the latest incidents and establish those responsible for the attacks.
