In what is becoming an all-too-familiar occurrence in Nigeria, gunmen have attacked Bwoi District in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau. DSP Alfred Alabo confirmed that over 30 people were killed in the assault. The commissioner of police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, described the attack as “unfortunate” and immediately ordered armed personnel to the area.
According to police reports, the distress call came in at 11:56 pm from a police officer in charge of Tanknale village of Mangu, that some gunmen were shooting sporadically in a nearby village. The commissioner of police swiftly mobilised all available forces to the scene, including the broader security agencies in the state.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Bawa Sale, head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who was also present on the scene, said the hoodlums were chased off by the superior firepower of the security personnel. As a result, the perpetrators abandoned four motorcycles, a Sharon vehicle and some items used for their nefarious activities. However, the gunmen remain at large.
The commissioner of police has urged residents of the area to remain calm, assuring them that the security forces have formulated modalities to apprehend the criminals. He further called on residents with useful information to make it available for prompt action.
Sadly, the latest attack adds to the long list of security breaches that Nigeria has experienced in recent times, a development that continues to worry both the government and citizens.
