Bandits have taken a first class chief hostage after engaging security forces in a gun battle, Nation Newspaper has reported.
According to the report. the gunmen suspected to be bandits abducted the paramount ruler of Gindiri in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Charles Mato Dakat, after gun duel that lasted several minutes.
It was learnt that the monarch was kidnapped at his residence in the early hours of Sunday.
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The development has thrown the town into a state of panic. It is not yet clear if there were other persons kidnapped along with the traditional ruler, or if there were casualties.
A lawmaker representing Mangu South in the State House of Assembly, Bala Fwangje, also confirmed the incident.
According to the lawmaker, security operatives have been deployed to the community to find the kidnapped traditional ruler.
He said, “I just confirmed the kidnap incident with some of the security men. I also spoke with the paramount ruler, Mishkaham Mwaghavul of Mwaghavul nation who also confirmed to me what happened. Right now, the security men are in the bush trying to rescue the kidnapped traditional ruler.”
There has been no official statement or confirmation from the police or Operation Safe Haven.
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In a similar development, it was alleged that gunmen had abducted a former governorship candidate in Imo State, Uche Nwosu, after firing a barrage of bullets into the air to ward off his police security aides.
But the Imo State police command later issue a statement, saying Nwosu was not kidnapped but arrested.
