An Inspector of the Nigeria Police Force, Yakubu Dauda, has been reportedly killed and his firearm confiscated by gunmen in a recent attack in Chwelnyap Rim, a community located within the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
During a visit by the fact-finding committee established by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to examine the underlying causes of violence affecting the state, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Riyom LGA, David Tsado, confirmed the incident to reporters in Riyom.
He stated that the event transpired on Monday while officers were conducting an operation in the vicinity.
Tsado recounted that the assailants, who came in significant numbers, ambushed the officers, leading to the fatality of one officer during the operation.
He further elaborated that the gunmen terrorizing the region were heavily armed, noting that despite the mobilization of his personnel, they were unable to subdue the attackers.
“Yesterday (Monday), my men were on the ground in the community following a report of security threats in the area not knowing that some gunmen had laid in ambush. In the process of tracing the gunmen, they opened fire on our men and one of us, Inspector Yakubu Dauda, unfortunately lost his life.
“His copse has been deposited in the hospital. Today (Tuesday), the Commissioner of Police deployed more men to take the fight to the gunmen’s den, but it was another heavy encounter. It got to a stage that we have to withdraw,” the DPO said.
Speaking, the chairman of the fact finding committee, Major General Nicholas Rogers, said the committee was at the area to find out what went wrong, resulting in the incessant killings and attacks in the area.
“It is a very bad situation. We are here to identify the problems and gather suggestions from stakeholders on how to find lasting solutions,” Daily Trust quoted Rogers saying.
Youth and community leaders notified the committee that numerous villages had been assaulted, stating that in the past month, approximately 9 individuals were killed and 33 homes were set ablaze.
They expressed optimism that the formation of the community would put a stop to the assaults.