A newly wedded couple who are also teachers, Rwang Barnabas Danladi and Sandra Rwang Danladi, were among the victims that were shot dead by herdsmen who attacked BECO Comprehensive School, Kwi, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, August 14, 2023, when the herdsmen allegedly forced their way into the school premises for their cows to graze but were stopped by security men on duty.

When the teachers approached to plead with the herders to vacate the premises, the herders reportedly brought out guns, shot and killed them.

The School Principal, Mr. Dantoro Gyang, who confirmed the incident said the staff of the school were on routine meetings at about 2:00 p.m. on Monday when some herdsmen led their cows into the premises for grazing but they were confronted by the security men on duty

“While the security men interrogated them on why they grazed into the school premises, the staff came out of the meeting to see what was happening. We were trying to engage them on the need to vacate the school premises, two of them suddenly brought out guns, pulled the triggers, and instantly killed two of my teachers,” he said.

“The Vice-Principal (Administration), Mr. Dalyop Ibrahim, and one other person were shot in the abdomen. As I am talking to you now, one of those injured is presently receiving treatment at General Hospital Riyom, while the Vice Principal was taken to Jos University Teaching Hospital.”

It was gathered that the couple got married on March 25, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Berom Youths, in a statement on Tuesday, condemned the murder of the teacher couple and called for a ban on open grazing.

“The Berom Youths Moulder-Association-BYM is, again, saddened over the invasion of BECO Comprehensive School Kwi, where two staff, Mr and Mrs Rwang Danladi were reportedly shot dead and one Mr Dalyop Emmanuel Ibrahim, the Vice Principal of the school seriously injured by some known fulani armed men alongside suspected bandits elements at about 3:00pm of Monday, 14th August, 2023,” the statement read.

“According to an eyewitness account, the incident happened when staff were holding a meeting to compile results of students for delivery on Friday, 18th August during “Speech and Prize Giving-Day” in line with the school’s calendar.

“According to a local source that pleads anonymity, the bandits came into the school Compound with their cattles, and interrupted the Staff meeting. The source added that the staff had asked the Fulani to get their cows out of the school environment. But instead of complying, they brought out their arms and opened gunfire at the teachers.

“This resulted to the dead of recently wedded couples, Rwang Danladi and wife, Mrs Sandra Rwang Danladi, who are the staff of the school while Mr. Dalyop Emmanuel Ibrahim who is the Vice Principal of the institution sustained serious injury and is receiving medical treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital-JUTH

“The Berom Youth Moulder-Association, BYM under the leadership of Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri, Esq notes with concern how these Terrorists from Fass and Mahanga now move freely with arms and graze on farmlands, intimidating and killing locals at nearby Communities.

“Fass and Mahanga as well as Guava have become enclaves of Terrorists, who carry out all sorts of coordinated attacks on villages and Communities in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, Mangu, Jos South and even beyond the state.

“We therefore call on government to ban open grazing in Plateau state since grazing has become a ploy to continue unleashing havoc.”