Yakubu Dauda, a police inspector, was killed and his rifle snatched by unknown gunmen in the Chwelnyap Rim village, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
It was discovered that the incident occurred on Monday while police officers were conducting an operation in the neighbourhood.
David Tsado, the Divisional Police Officer of Riyom LGA, confirmed the officer’s death to journalists on Tuesday in Riyom during a visit by the Governor Caleb Mutfwang-appointed fact-finding team to explore the sources of violence in the state.
According to the DPO, the attackers ambushed the officers, killing Inspector Dauda.
He added that the gunmen were well-armed, and that despite assembling their troops following the attack, they were unable to overcome the gunmen’s resistance.
“We were on the ground in the community following a report of security threats in the area, not knowing that some gunmen had laid an 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 corpse has been deposited in the hospital,” the DPO said.
The DPO further stated that the Commissioner of Police had sent more officers to the region to take the fight to the gunmen’s hideout, but it was yet another intense clash.
“Today, the Commissioner of Police deployed more men to take the fight to their den, but it was another heavy encounter. It got to a stage that we had to retreat,” the DPO added.
The chairman of the committee, Major General Nicholas Rogers, expressed apprehension over the situation, saying, “It is a very bad situation. We are here to identify the problems and gather suggestions from stakeholders on how to find lasting solutions.”
According to youth and community leaders, numerous communities have been targeted in the last month, with around nine people dead and 33 houses burnt down.
They expressed hope that the formation of the committee would put an end to the attacks.
