Gunmen kill immigration officer in Plateau community

Gunmen have reportedly killed Christopher Agwom, an assistant superintendent of immigration, in Fann village, Barkin-Ladi LGA of Plateau.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Aliyu Danja, acting deputy director of army public relations, said the immigration officer was killed when the gunmen attacked security operatives during an operation to clear the community of criminals.

Danja said the operation was conducted in collaboration with troops of Operation Safe Haven and III Division of the Nigerian Army.

He said the troops arrested seven suspects and recovered arms and ammunition during the operation.

”A tactical team of III Div. and OPSH, while conducting an operation to recover arms from a gunrunners’ hideout at Sangasa community in Fann District, was attacked in the early hours of July 10,” NAN quoted Danja as saying.

“During the operation, a member of the team, an assistant superintendent of immigration, Christopher Agwom, was killed by the criminals.

“Following the incident, troops conducted a follow-on operation in the district to recover illegal arms, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons.

“During the operations that lasted for one week, the team arrested seven suspects and recovered both automatic and locally fabricated weapons, as well as different calibres of ammunition from Ratas, Ratoso, and Sangasa communities, all in Fann district.”

He said the troops recovered six AK-47 rifles, 16 locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, 15 Dane guns, five AK-47 magazines, and one AK-47 drum magazine with a capacity of 75 rounds.

Other weapons recovered include 250 rounds of 7.62 mm (special), two cartridges, and seven motorcycles, among others.

Danja said three people have been declared wanted for their alleged involvement in criminal activities in the Fann area of the state.

He named “Timothy Dung, also known as Timaya, Sam P., Dachun Job, and Yakubu Ishaku,” as those declared wanted by the army.

“Let me assure Plateau citizens that his sacrifice will not be in vain, as we will not be deterred by false propaganda by miscreants and other misguided persons,” he said.

“III Div and OPSH remain resolute in their drive to rid the entire joint operations area of criminalities.”

He added that the immigration officer had been buried at his hometown in Risek, Jos east LGA of the state.