The burial ceremony for the recently wedded pair, Barnabas Danladi Rwang and his spouse Sandra, who fell victim to herdsmen, has taken place in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The couple, both educators aged 31 and 24, were fatally shot on August 14, 2023, by herders who forcibly entered BECO Comprehensive High School in Kwi, Riyom, to graze their cattle.
The interment proceedings, conducted on August 23, saw a massive gathering of mourners in attendance.
Among those present were representatives from the Plateau State Governor’s office, including Hon. Kachollom Gang (Commissioner of Higher Education), the Transition Committee Chairman of Riyom LGA, Hon. Sati Shuwa, the District Head of Riyom (Dagwom Rwei Riyom LGA) Da Samuel Jok, and his council of chiefs. Additionally, Sector 6 Commander of Operation Safe Haven, religious leaders, and Hon. Timothy Danton, the Member representing Riyom LGA at the Plateau State House of Assembly, were also present. Others included Da Gyang Dudu (BECO President), BYM President, and a representative of Peace House.
The atmosphere at the funeral was heavy with grief, with mourners visibly moved to tears. During the event, Hon. Timothy Dantong shared his sorrow over the tragic loss of the young couple who had tied the knot on March 25, 2023.
The legislator urged the security agents to unravel the perpetrators of the dastard act.
“This is an agenda to grab our ancestral land which has succeeded in displacement of over fifty (50) Communities in Berom land, our people must go back to their ancestral land, this couple just got wedded March this year and were gruesomely killed in the school compound in broad day light, we need justice” he stated.
The member condoled with the family, Kwi Community, Riyom Constituency, BECO, entire Berom land and Plateau State, while calling for calm as the security agents have swung into action in the investigation of the killings.
