Gunmen Kill Policeman, Seven Others in Plateau

Afrik Update

News,Nigeria

By Seriki Adinoyi

                                          Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar

Eight persons, including a police officer were yesterday killed in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State following attacks on Jwol and Sopp villages in the council area.

It was gathered that the gunmen invaded Jwol and waylaid a group of policemen attached to the outpost in the village, who were on routine patrol of the area and opened fire on them killing one Corporal Istifanus Samaila.

THISDAY further gathered that the gunmen also killed another four persons at Sopp village before they escaped into the hills.

A police officer who would not want to be named mentioned in print said the bodies of two other men coming from Ganawuri market were found with bullet wounds close  to their village of  Jebu, near Sopp.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Abuh, who confirmed the latest attack, said the only person that sustained injuries is presently receiving treatment at Plateau State Specialist Hospital and called on the people in the affected areas to remain calm.

The member representing Riyom in the state House of Assembly and Majority Leader of the House, Hon Daniel, Dem also confirmed the incidence.

He added that a security guard in a primary school at Hawan Kibo was also killed.

In a related development, the police and the various stakeholders on peace in the state have called on the government to intensify the ban of the dangerous drinks popularly called ‘Goskolo’ ravaging the lives of youths in the state.

In the communiqué issued at the end of a meeting between the  stakeholders and State Police Command, and signed by Mr Danjuma Azikiti, the meeting implored communities in the state to form vigilante group to augment the security agents’ efforts and charged the people to be conscious and courageous to manage the recent onsl