They had no idea that their last day on earth when Rwang Danladi and his wife Sandra, both teachers at BECO Comprehensive School in Kwi, Riyom local government area of Plateau State, reported for duty on Monday morning.
But disaster struck just as they were about to wrap up that day's operations, and gunmen who broke into their workplace are said to have shot them to death.
The newlyweds who were married in March of last year are not present to describe what transpired; instead, the Vice Principal (Administration), Mr. Dalyop Ibrahim, who was critically injured in the attack, and the School's Principal, Mr. Dantoro Gyang, who was unharmed, did so.
"The incident happened on Monday between 2 and 2.30," he stated. We were in the school for our end-of-term meeting and to go over our prepared speeches and prize event. We had barely concluded the conference when we witnessed ranchers bring their cows onto the School Grounds to graze when they were stopped by on-duty security personnel. There was a verbal confrontation that caught our attention.
The personnel arrived to observe what was going on while the security guards questioned them about why they had strayed into the school grounds. As we were attempting to convince them to leave the school grounds, we heard gunshots. The herders then got out their weapons, pulled the triggers, and promptly killed two of my instructors. All of us had to flee for our lives.
"Mr. Dalyop Ibrahim, the vice principal for administration, was shot in the abdomen. He is currently undergoing care at the Jos University Teaching Hospital as I speak with you.
Solomon Mwantiri, the national president of BYM, the Berom Youth Moulders Association, expressed regret for the tragedy and emphasized that "until open grazing is banned, the herdsmen will continue to terrorize the people of the State and the Middle Belt as a whole."
In a statement, Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary of BYM, said that "known Fulani armed men" were responsible for the crime.
The Berom Youth Moulder-Association, BYM, led by Solomon Mwantiri, Esq., noted further, "We note with alarm how these terrorists from Fass and Mahanga now roam freely with arms and graze on farmlands, intimidating and killing villagers at adjacent settlements. Terrorists have made Fass, Mahanga, and Guava into enclaves from which they launch a variety of planned operations against towns and villages in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, Mangu, Jos South, and even outside the State.
We urge the government to outlaw open grazing in Plateau State since it has turned into a means of wreaking more destruction on people's lives and property. We further urge security personnel to immediately conduct a raid on the aforementioned community that was established through forcible occupation after the removal of the local Aboriginal population. This is vital to get rid of criminal elements and terrorists who have steadfastly flouted the law and order. The BYM demands that the government designate Fulani militias as terrorist organizations.
Gabriel Gyang, a local, stated, "There is a ruga nearby, but the Fulani have moved from there since that Monday. They always claim that these gunmen are unknown, despite the fact that they are. They should be pursued by security and apprehended so they can be held accountable.
No suspect has been detained in connection with the incident, according to the State Commissioner of Police, CP Julius Alawari.
"We heard the headers pulled out a gun and shot and killed two people and injured one," he said. When our team learned about the attack, they hurried to the scene, but by the time they arrived, the herders had vanished into the forest. Still in the forest, our soldiers are making every effort to apprehend them.
The Principal continued, "Because of this great challenge, the ceremony is postponed until further notice." This led to the postponement of the speech and prize celebration.
