Suspected bandits have killed four persons and kidnapped Umar Zarme, the District Head of Langai in Pyem Chiefdom, Mangu Local Council of Plateau State.
The Guardian reports that the bandits had laid ambush for Zarme and the four by 8.00pm on Saturday after the Muslim prayer.
One of the kidnappers had reportedly joined the district head at the prayers between 7.30pm and 8.00pm.
According to a witness, Mr. Shabul Mazadu, after the prayers at the central Mosque in Langai, the gunmen tracked the district head and started shooting in the air when they reached a dark spot, to scare the residents, until their gang members rushed out of hiding and took the victim.
“The whereabouts of the Langai district head and the motive of his abduction are unknown,” Mazadu added, while condemning the incessant insecurity in Pyem.
“The insecurity in Pyem Chiefdom is alarming and worrisome to the indigenes. No week in the past one month that the bandits spared the chiefdom.
“Saturday, October 15, 2022, added another insult to injury on the chiefdom by the kidnap of the district head of Langai, Umar Mohammed Zarme,” Mazadu stated.
At press time, the abductors had yet to contact the family. Also, there was an alleged cult rivalry same day at Gwarandok community of Jos South Local Council, in which three people reportedly lost their lives.
The clash grounded commercial activities, as shops were quickly locked up around 7.00pm. On Friday evening, local vigilantes had frustrated an attack at Namu Junction. At Angwan Rukuba Junction of Jos North Local Council, also, a mob allegedly lynched a suspected motorcycle thief.
According to the witness, the suspect, who was forcefully removed from the police post after his arrest, allegedly stole 10 motorcycles, including that of a young man that eventually hanged himself out of frustration.
The Plateau State Police spokesman, DSP Alfred Alabo, has yet to respond to inquiries on the matter.
