Pastor shot dead on his way to church in Plateau State, Nigeria

6 October 2026

A pastor in Plateau State, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, was shot dead while on his way to church on the morning of Sunday 20 September.

Suspected Fulani Islamists ambushed Pastor Samuel Nandi and opened fire in Maraban Kantoma, near Dorowa Babuje village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA).

The pastor’s secretary was also killed in the incident. The pastor’s son was critically injured and hospitalised.

 

Pastor Samuel was one of nine persons killed in separate attacks by gunmen in Christian-majority areas of Barkin Ladi LGA and Riyom LGA in Plateau State over the course of the weekend.

Five passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi LGA were attacked and killed by gunmen the previous evening, 19 September.

Bulus Dabit, National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, in condemning the five deaths, said, “The continued attacks are causing pain and fear among residents and should not be allowed to continue.”

A woman was killed at Baten Wereng in Riyom LGA on the Saturday evening. Another person was killed at Ratyidi in Fan District, in Barkin Ladi.

How you can pray

Pray for all those affected by these attacks in Plateau State. Call on the Lord to comfort those bereaved, especially Pastor Samuel’s family and congregation, that they will know God’s presence and peace even in their grief. Pray that his son will recover from injuries sustained. Ask that both intensified, effective security and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit will deter would-be perpetrators and for Christian communities to have greater protection from such threats.  

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