Gunmen ∆bduct Plateau Businessman, K!ll NSCDC Officer In Mangu Despite Curfew
Gunmen Abduct Plateau Businessman, Kill NSCDC Officer In Mangu Despite Curfew
SaharaReporters gathered that the incident occurred on Monday night in Pushit community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Gunmen have abducted a popular businessman known as Gilbert and killed an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Distu Garba Audu, in Plateau State, despite a curfew imposed by local authorities to curb recurring attacks and insecurity.
SaharaReporters gathered that the incident occurred on Monday night in Pushit community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to activist John Walshak, who shared details of the incident, the suspected kidnappers arrived in the community at about 8:00 p.m. and abducted Gilbert, a businessman reportedly involved in supplying fuel to filling stations, cement and fertiliser
Walshak said the gunmen were taking the businessman away when a motorcycle rider reportedly emerged from his house with his headlight on, heading out to buy meat.
The kidnappers allegedly opened fire on the rider, killing him at the scene.
The deceased was later identified as Distu Garba Audu, popularly known as Tony, a Deputy Superintendent of the NSCDC. He was reportedly a senior officer in the corps and had built his house in the community.
Walshak clarified that, contrary to earlier reports circulating about the incident, the officer was not killed while guarding the abducted businessman.
He said that Audu was shot after unexpectedly encountering the kidnappers while riding out of his residence.
The gunmen reportedly escaped with Gilbert through a maize farm after the abduction
Walshak questioned the purpose of the curfew if residents could still be abducted and security personnel killed under the restrictions.
He also called on the government and security agencies to explain the measures being taken to prevent kidnappings, protect residents and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
“The people of Mangu deserve answers, not just restrictions on their movement,” he said, stressing that the effectiveness of a curfew should be assessed by whether it improves the safety of the people it is intended to protect.
He urged the relevant security agencies to investigate the incident urgently, establish the facts surrounding the killing and abduction, pursue the perpetrators and work towards securing the safe rescue of the abducted businessman.
Walshak also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the appropriate authorities while avoiding the spread of unverified claims about the incident.
He maintained that the public has a right to question security failures that put innocent lives at risk, adding that the government and security agencies have a responsibility to provide answers and protect the lives of residents.
Efforts by SaharaReporters to contact the spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), CSC Afolabi Babawale, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages sent to him.
