Kidnapped victim rescued, 20 confirmed dead in Plateau attack

In two separate shootings that took place in the early hours of Thursday in the state's Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas, the Plateau State Police Command announced that a total of 20 people were slain.

This information was provided in a statement made on Thursday by the State Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka.

One abduction victim was rescued by men from the state command during an operation in the area, according to the statement, which was signed by the command's public relations officer, Alabo Alfred.

The statement read, “On 10/08/2023, at around 0500hrs, the Plateau State Police Command received information from one Rwang Danjuma ‘M’, of Heipang District, that at between 0200hrs to 0230hrs, unknown gunmen stormed Tagwam Lawuru Village where they cowardly shot and killed 17 people, after the attack on Tagwam Lawuru village, the hoodlums also proceeded to Layowok Village where they killed 3 persons. As a result of the attacks, several other people sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

“On Receipt of the information, the DPO Barkin Ladi, led a combined team of Policemen and personnel from other security agencies including members of security help groups in the State to reinforce and restore normalcy in the affected communities. The injured victims have been responding to treatment at the different hospitals where they were immediately rushed to.

“The Command is however, pleased to inform you that, the DPO Barkin-Ladi and team while on Patrol, rescued one Gideon Nweke ‘m’ Aged 63years of Liberty Boulevards British America Jos, who was kidnapped along Riyom-Jos Road on 08/08/2023 at about 2100hours in a Plateau Riders Sharon vehicle while on their way from Abuja. The victim was taken to Allah Nakowa Hospital Barkin Ladi for treatment of injuries inflicted on him as a result of a beating.

“On this note, the Commissioner of police and the entire officers and staff of the Nigerian Police Force on the Plateau extend our heartfelt condolences to the communities and families of the victims. We also wish to assure you that we have already put modalities in place to ensure the arrest and onward prosecution of the perpetrators of these inhuman acts.

Source