Nigeria Reports Pastor and 27 Others Killed in Plateau State Attacks in Most Dangerous Countries
Attacks continue in multiple global conflict zones including Nigeria's Plateau State where a pastor and 27 others were killed in one week, North Korea-planted mines injured three South Korean soldiers in the DMZ, and fighting intensified in Yemen amid Iran-US threats, underscoring the challenges in most dangerous countries. A pastor and 27 others were killed in attacks across Plateau State, Nigeria, between September 13-20 despite a dusk-to-dawn curfew, with specific incidents in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu, Riyom and Jos South. [1]
Nigeria Killings Despite Curfew
A pastor and 27 others were reportedly killed in attacks across Plateau State within one week despite a dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed by the state government to curb the violence. [1] The killings occurred between September 13 and 20 across communities in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu, Riyom and Jos South local government areas. [1] David Nanpet, an eyewitness documenter with the International Committee on Nigeria, confirmed the killing of Pastor Samuel Nandi while he was travelling to a church service in Maraban Kantoma, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, on Sunday, September 20. [1] Nandi's son was also shot in the attack and was receiving medical treatment. [1] Nandi, who was originally from Borno State, was attacked while travelling to church. [1] Gunfire continued around Maraban Kantoma, Rapwomol and Shurum after the pastor was killed. [1] A drone was seen spying on the whole of the Darwat community. [1] At least 27 other people were killed in attacks recorded across the affected communities during the seven-day period. [1] Nine people were reportedly killed at Dungus Junction in Kuru District, Jos South, when gunmen attacked passengers disembarking from a commercial vehicle. [1] Two people were also killed in Ta-Hoss village in Riyom, while another two were reportedly killed in Vodni village in Mangu. [1] Five people were killed in Gana-Ropp, Barkin Ladi, on Saturday, September 19, while at least two others were injured in an attack in Ndar, Bokkos. [1] Earlier, three people were reportedly killed and seven others, including a seven-month-old baby, were injured during an attack at a farmers' market in Mangu. [1]
Government and Military Response in Plateau
The Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Maxwell Dangana, visited some affected communities and pledged to strengthen security measures. [1] Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas. [1] The state government said the curfew took effect on Monday, September 21, and would run from 6pm to 6am daily until further notice. [1] The measure was intended to enable security agencies to stabilise the affected areas, protect residents and prevent further breakdown of law and order. [1] Security personnel were directed to enforce the restriction, while the government also announced an immediate ban on the use of motorcycles throughout the affected local government areas. [1] Residents were instructed to organise their commercial, agricultural and personal activities around the restricted hours. [1] As of September 21, the Plateau State Government had imposed movement restrictions across the three affected local government areas, while security agencies continued operations in communities where residents reported renewed gunfire. [1]
DMZ Mine Explosion and Removal Operation
The South Korean military launched an operation to remove any remaining land mines planted by North Korea at the site of a recent blast inside the Demilitarized Zone that left three South Korean service members injured. [2] Three South Korean military officers were injured Sept. 21, two seriously, when two land mines south of the Military Demarcation Line in the western DMZ exploded. [2] Following a joint inspection of the blast site, the United Nations Command and South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff concluded that the mines were highly likely planted by North Korea and urged Pyongyang to apologize. [2] Seoul has also discovered two additional land mines at and near the blast site. [2] The United Nations Command said the latest explosion constituted a violation of the Armistice Agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. [2] North Korea has denied responsibility for the blast, accusing South Korea of fabricating the findings and warning of immediate and merciless retaliation if its troops are fired upon. [2]
Escalating Conflict in Yemen
Fighting intensifies in Yemen as Iran and the US trade threats of return to all-out war. [4] Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed there is no military solution to the fighting with the US, while warning that Tehran remains ready to defend itself against any attacks. [4] The UKMTO agency reported a tanker was struck in the Strait of Hormuz in an increase of attacks, while another boat off Yemen’s coast reported multiple explosions near the vessel. [4]
Russian Strikes on Ukraine
Russia has shifted to long-range strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure after failing to achieve front-line gains, constituting war crimes according to an expert, while issuing threats including nuclear options and demands for embassies to leave Kyiv. [5] Russia has been unable to break through the front line and the Ukrainians are now actually managing to retake territory. [5] The Russians really have only one option left and that is long-range bombardment. [5] They have also begun bombing civilian targets, which is a war crime. [5] They are clearly testing whether they can reach a point where the Ukrainians simply surrender because their cities are no longer habitable. [5] In addition to terrorizing Ukrainian cities, Russia is also trying to exert greater pressure on the West. [5] As part of these attacks on cities, embassies have been warned to leave because it is going to become very dangerous. [5] There is all the rhetoric about having arms factories that produce weapons for Ukraine in their sights and using nuclear weapons if necessary. [5]
Broader Global Conflict Context in Most Dangerous Countries
The incidents form part of ongoing violence across affected regions, with renewed concerns over the security situation in Plateau's rural communities where residents have repeatedly reported armed attacks, displacement and destruction of homes and farmlands. [1] The South Korean military launched an operation Monday to remove any remaining land mines at the blast site. [2] Crude oil exports increased to above pre-war levels on four of the last seven days of September. [4] The bombing will certainly continue, but it will not break the Ukrainians' resolve. [5]
What to watch next: The South Korean military continues its operation to remove remaining North Korean mines at the DMZ blast site, while the United Nations Command oversees compliance with the Armistice Agreement.
