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

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

Residents, who witnessed the attack, say the couple, Iliya Gyang, 30, and his pregnant wife, Grace Iliya, 25, were attacked and killed by the assailants on Wednesday evening in front of their house while returning from an outing.

One of the residents, Juliana Emmanuel, said the young couple was about entering their compound when the killers. who rode on a motorcycle, opened fire on them, killing both of them on the spot.

“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.

“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.

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

Also confirming the incident, the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, BYM, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, said the assailants who were positively identified as Fulani bandits, arrived 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 said.

“The attack comes days after security meetings and engagements aimed at addressing the 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 BYM statement added.