30 feared dead as gunmen attack Plateau community

More than 30 persons have been reportedly killed in an attack by gunmen in Bwoi, Mangu LGA of Plateau state.

Alfred Alabo, police spokesperson in the state, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

Alabo said the command received a distress call from an official at about 11:56pm on Tuesday.

He said Bartholomew Onyeka, police commissioner in the state, immediately deployed personnel to the location of the attack.

“The commissioner of police expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident that has claimed the lives of yet-to-be-identified persons from various villages within the area.” NAN quoted Alabo as saying.

“At about 11:56 p.m. on Tuesday, we received a distress call from one of our Police officers in charge of Tanknale village of Mangu, that some gunmen were shooting sporadically in a nearby village.

”The commissioner immediately mobilised all assets in the command to the scene to ensure that the suspects are arrested and brought to book.”

Bawa Sale, assistant commissioner of police in charge of the criminal investigation department (CID), said the operatives succeeded in chasing the attackers away with the support of other security agencies.

Sale said the firepower of the officers overwhelmed the attackers, adding that they abandoned four motorcycles and a vehicle while fleeing the location.

“As we speak, the culprits are on the run while our officers are still on their trail with the aim to ensure that they are neutralised and arrested,” he added.

The spokesperson said the police commissioner has urged residents to remain calm.