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The widow of a pastor who was killed by Fulani militias, along with seven others, during an attack in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State has recounted how the assailants invaded their home and specifically demanded her husband, which she described as a targeted assault.
At the time of his death, Pastor Mimang Lekyil was leading the Local Church Council (LCC) of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Kwakas-Mushere, Bokkos LGA, when he was attacked and murdered inside the pastorium. The assailants also shot his wife, leaving her with severe injuries to her legs.
During a video interview shared on social media on Thursday by conflict journalist Masara Kim Usman, Mrs. Lekyil explained that when the attackers forced their way into their home, they intentionally called for her husband, indicating he was their specific target.
In the video, the grieving widow recounted the distressing moment when the Fulani attackers took her husband’s life:
“On the day the Fulani people killed my husband, my sister and her son were visiting us. They were with us that day. At night, after we prayed and were about to sleep, my husband went into the bathroom.
“As he was about to come out, suddenly a group of Fulani boys burst into the house. They were very young, all armed. There were about five or six of them.
“I whispered to my husband to come into the room. He asked me what was happening, and I told him that Fulani boys had entered the house. He followed me inside while I held my sister’s hand, and we went into the room.
“As we were entering, they saw my husband coming out of the bathroom. They confronted him and said, ‘Baba, ka zo’ (Baba, come here). That was the phrase I heard from them. They said, ‘Baba, let’s go inside the room.’
“I thought they were going to allow him to get dressed, assuming they wanted to kidnap him. He was feeling unwell that night, and it was very cold.
“We were still getting clothes for him when they started shooting. As they fired, they closed the door and continued to spray bullets throughout the room.
“At the same time, they were ordering us to come out. While they were shooting, I hoped the vigilante group in the community would come to our rescue. There were soldiers nearby, so I thought they might come and help us, but they did not.
“The Fulani boys were shooting all around the room, including at the doors.
“I was unaware that they had killed my husband. They also shot me, shattering my leg. After completing their mission, they kidnapped my sister.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the attack on Pastor Mimang Lekyil?
The attack occurred when armed Fulani militias invaded the home of Pastor Mimang Lekyil, specifically asking for him. During the assault, the pastor was killed, and his wife was shot, resulting in severe injuries.
What has Mrs. Lekyil said about the incident?
Mrs. Lekyil described the harrowing experience of the attack, detailing how the assailants specifically sought out her husband and the chaos that ensued when they began shooting.
Were there any attempts to rescue the victims during the attack?
Mrs. Lekyil expressed her hope that local vigilantes or nearby soldiers would intervene, but unfortunately, no assistance arrived during the attack.
