Gunmen Abduct Clergyman, 3 Others In Plateau

Gunmen launched an attack on Maigemu District in the Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, abducting a religious leader and three other people.

It was gathered that a number of gunmen carried out an invasion in the ECWA Church Nuku area of the district at about 5:40 a.m. on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, they forcibly seized the clergyman while his family looked on helplessly.

A source in the community reported that the gunmen, who carried out their actions without any apparent resistance for nearly 40 minutes, also abducted three persons: Usman Umaru, Agwom Dauda, and a woman identified only as Sarah.

The source went on to reveal that the gunmen resorted to firing multiple shots into the air to create fear among the residents, particularly the vigilantes and hunters, in an attempt to prevent them from attempting a rescue mission, they departed the scene with their captives in a car, while additional gunmen followed closely on motorcycles.

Information has been received that security personnel, alongside local vigilantes and hunters, have launched a search operation in the nearby hills, with the objective of apprehending the kidnappers and any associates responsible for instilling fear in the local government area.

A family member of the clergyman, who chose to remain anonymous when speaking said that the kidnappers have not made any contact with the family to demand a ransom at this point.

The State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Alfred Alabo, has confirmed the incident. He assured that law enforcement personnel are actively engaged in addressing the situation and are determined to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act.