Gunmen Kill Former Councillor in Plateau Community

Community Mourns as Authorities Launch Investigation Into Fatal Attack                         

                                                           

A former councillor, Hon. Godwin Vonga, has been shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State, in another incident highlighting persistent insecurity in parts of Nigeria's Middle Belt.

Vonga, who represented Nasarawa Ward during his time in office and also served as the Magaji of Timshat, was reportedly attacked while returning home along the Timshat–Mabudi Road.

Ambushed While Returning Home

According to community sources, the former councillor had travelled to Mabudi to drop off his children following the school holidays before beginning his return journey to Timshat.

He was ambushed by armed assailants along the road and fatally shot. The attackers fled the scene before security personnel arrived, and no arrests had been announced at the time of reporting.

Community in Mourning

Residents described the killing as a major loss to the community, noting that Vonga was widely respected for his contributions to local governance and traditional leadership.

A resident, Nanbol Pirfa, said the incident had left the community in shock.

“The entire community is in mourning. He was a respected leader and public servant,” Pirfa said, while calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.

Local Government Condemns Attack

The Chairman of Langtang South Local Government Area, Nanfa Alhassan Nbin, condemned the killing, describing it as “barbaric, unfortunate and unacceptable.”

In a statement issued through his spokesman, the council chairman expressed condolences to the deceased's family and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and improve security across the area.

Security Concerns Persist

Although the motive behind the attack remains unclear, some residents suspect that criminal elements operating along the route may have been responsible.

Plateau State has experienced recurring incidents of violence in recent years, ranging from targeted killings to communal clashes and attacks by armed groups. Security agencies have continued operations across the state, but many communities remain concerned about the safety of rural roads and settlements.

Calls for Justice

Community leaders have appealed to security authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure those responsible are prosecuted.

The killing has renewed calls for stronger security presence in vulnerable communities and along major roads in Plateau State, where residents continue to demand greater protection from recurring attacks.