Gunmen abduct pastor in Plateau, ‘demand N20m ransom’

Bung Dung, a Plateau-based pastor, has been abducted from Ganawuri community in Riyom LGA of the state. 

Alfred Alabo, the police public relations officer (PPRO) in the state, confirmed the development on Monday at a media briefing in Jos, the Plateau capital. 

He said the incident happened on Sunday night. 

Alabo said aside from the pastor, one James Mann, a resident of the community, was earlier abducted but later rescued. 

According to NAN, Mann is the principal of the Government Secondary School, Bum, in Ganawuri and the younger brother of David Mann, the state’s chief judge.

Alabo said the command had deployed security operatives to the area to track down the abductors and rescue the victim.

Speaking on the incident, Song Moro, president of the Atten Youths Movement, a group in the community, said the community had been experiencing security challenges for a while.

He said no fewer than four persons have been abducted in the area recently, adding that Mann was rescued by members of the vigilante group in the community.

Moro also said the abductors are demanding N20 million for the release of the cleric.

Plateau has witnessed attacks in its communities in past months.

TheCable Index, the data and research arm of TheCable, had reported that a total of 15 persons were killed in Plateau in August.