Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a businessman in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the gunmen also killed two persons said to be vigilante members during the incident which occurred in Mararaba Pushit community of the council area.
According to a report by the Punch, gunmen on Friday stormed the neighbourhood and started shooting indiscriminately. A resident identified as Emmanuel Audu told newsmen that, “the villagers were terrified and ran helter-skelter. The gunmen eventually kidnapped a businessman. But as they were taking the man away along Janaret Gindiri road, people summoned up courage and raised the alarm.
“Unfortunately, two young men, Simon Bakshak and lbrahim lliya, who were beside a church premises, were hit by the bullet fired by the gunmen as they made their escape. The victims were vigilante members. They died shortly afterwards and the whereabouts of the kidnapped businessman has remained unknown.”
The identity of the abducted victim, said to be a shop owner in the village, could not be verified as of press time.
Audu, who condemned the incident, called on the government to step in quickly and address the emerging security challenge in the area.
The spokesman for the state Police Command, Ubah Ogaba, confirmed the abduction of the businessman and killing of the two young men, adding that security operatives had been deployed in the affected area. He added, “Efforts are being made to rescue the abducted businessman.”