Gunmen have killed a police inspector, Yakubu Dauda, and seized his rifle in Chwelnyap Rim community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Confirming the incident to journalists in Riyom during a visit by the fact-finding committee set up by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to investigate the causes of violence plaguing the state, David Tsado, the Divisional Police Officer of Riyom LGA, said the incident occurred on Monday while officers were on an operation in the area.

Tsado narrated that the gunmen, who arrived in large numbers, ambushed the officers, resulting in the death of one officer during the operation.

He explained that the gunmen terrorizing the area were well-armed, adding that despite mobilizing his men, they were unable to overpower the gunmen.

“Yesterday (Monday), my men were on the ground in the community following a report of security threats in the area not knowing that some gunmen had laid in ambush. In the process of tracing the gunmen, they opened fire on our men and one of us, Inspector Yakubu Dauda, unfortunately lost his life.

“His copse has been deposited in the hospital. Today (Tuesday), the Commissioner of Police deployed more men to take the fight to the gunmen’s den, but it was another heavy encounter. It got to a stage that we have to withdraw,” the DPO said.

The chairman of the fact finding committee, Major General Nicholas Rogers, said the committee was at the area to find out what went wrong, resulting in the incessant killings and attacks in the area.

“It is a very bad situation. We are here to identify the problems and gather suggestions from stakeholders on how to find lasting solutions,” he added.

Youth and community leaders informed the committee that many villages were attacked, adding that in the last one month, about 9 persons were killed and 33 houses burnt.

They hoped that the establishment of the community would bring an end to the attacks. (Daily Trust)