Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia have killed a family of five in Jos East Local Council of Plateau State, even as men of the police foiled kidnap attempts in Bassa Local Council.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Alfred Alabo, stated, yesterday, that the family of five were killed in Fubur town by a yet-to-be identified person on Friday.

He assured the family of the deceased and the local council of efforts to arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act to face justice.

The police advised Plateau residents to get the phone numbers of security officers in their areas to pass security information timely whenever there is a breach. Also, the command foiled an attempt to kidnap a man and his family in Bassa.

According to the police statement, the unfortunate incident occurred on Friday about 11:00pm when a gang of kidnappers stormed the residence of Mark Inkasu and attempted to force him and two other members of his family into a waiting vehicle.

The Guardian gathered that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Bassa, SP James Yakubu, received a call from a concerned citizen on the incident.

“Upon receiving this report, the DPO mobilised his men and raced to the scene. On sighting the patrol vehicle, the hoodlums started shooting at the police. In return, our team engaged them fearlessly. Sensing danger, the hoodlums escaped into a nearby bush with bullet wounds,” Alabo stated.

SIMILARLY, terrorists, yesterday, killed at least three persons and abducted many others during a broad day attack along Katsina­–Jibia road, Katsina State.

The incident, which occurred about 12:30pm, also saw several people sustain gunshot wounds when the gunmen opened fire on some vehicles plying the road.

The driver of a state government-owned coaster bus, with registration number KT 14D-58 KT, was among those killed during the incident.

A source in the area said the gunmen had stormed Farun Bala village, blocked the Katsina­–Jibia road and started to rustle cows and steal other items.

Vehicles plying the road were forced to stop and passengers commanded to disembark, he said, adding that the terrorists killed at least two others, while several other persons sustained gunshot injuries. According to the source, the gunmen also forced several passengers that were in four vehicles into the forest.

MEANWHILE, the police in Kaduna have foiled attempt by terrorists to attack farmers, just as the security operatives killed two bandits during an exchange of gunfire.

The police, following intelligence reports, immediately moved to Timburku village in Giwa Local Council to rescue the victims.

Kaduna PPRO, DSP Muhammad Jalige, explained, yesterday: “Upon receipt of a report through the DPO Kidandan on July 23, 2022 about 08:00hrs that some armed bandits have kidnapped unspecified number of farmers at Timburku village, the Commissioner of Police, Yekini Ayoku, immediately directed the mobilisation of the nearby detachment of Police Operation Restore Peace (hitherto codenamed Operation Puff Adder II) to the area.

“In the hot engagement that ensued, the policemen neutralised two bandits.” The police recovered AK-47 rifle loaded with two rounds of live ammunition, as well as a motorcycle and a machete, while the victims (farmers) were rescued unhurt, The Guardian gathered.