Middle-aged woman murdered, police kill gang member in Plateau

A middle-aged woman, Mrs. Laraba Dauda, was, yesterday, killed in Mere village, Makera District, Riyom Local Council of Plateau State. Her head was almost severed from her body.

The enraged youths, who could not hide their anger, were chanting war songs. This was reported by the Coordinator of Crisis Mediation Mitigation Regional Council (CMMRC), Mr. Sadeeq Hongs, in Jos.

Hongs said the CMMRC informed the Special Task Force (STF), Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), and later proceeded to two radio stations to appeal for calm and restraint.

This was to prevent irate youths from taking laws into their hands.

Troops of the OPSH immediately swung into action by arriving at the scene. They brought the situation under control.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Police Command informed the public that its efforts towards the fight against crime and criminality were yielding tremendous results.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Alfred Alabo, in a statement, said the police foiled a kidnapping attempt, dislodged the suspected kidnapper and recovered an AK – 47 rifle with eight rounds of ammunition.

According to the statement, the crack team of the police on a routine patrol, sighted some unknown gunmen, who criminally barricaded the road leading to St. Augustine College, Du in Jos South Local Council.

The police killed the suspect in a gun duel and recovered the AK – 47 rifle with the ammunition.

According to the statement, rather than surrender, the gunmen opened fire on the police operatives.

“Upon sighting police operatives, the gunmen engaged them in a fierce gun battle. But, they were subdued.

“One was shot dead, while others fled with gunshot injuries. Exhibits recovered from the suspects included one AK – 47 rifle with breach number A E 353550 and eight rounds of 7.62 x 39 mm live ammunition.

“Efforts are on to apprehend fleeing gang members, as investigation is still in progress,” it stated.

The police, according to the statement, would continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people in the state.