‘He was assassinated’, Plateau APC Chairman counters Police

The Plateau State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Rufus Bature, has said the party’s spokesperson, Mr. Sylvanus Namang, was killed by assassins, and not kidnappers or robbers.

DSP Alfred Alabo, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Plateau, had said Namang was killed by gunmen at a relaxation spot in Pankshin.

But at a press conference held at the party’s Secretariat in on Monday, the chairman of the party said, “According to information made available to the party, Hon. Namang was dastardly murder at a provision store in Pankshin by some gunmen suspected to be assassins along with the owner of the store.

“Though details of this unacceptable and unfortunate incident are yet to be released by security agencies , we as a party, feel constrained and also seriously agitated as well as concerned about the circumstances leading to his death for some obvious reasons.

“Without sounding immodest as a party, we refuse to subscribe to the narratives being peddled around on the gruesome murder even when investigations have not been concluded. The APC view this as serious matter and want to believe that some of its members and some citizens are not safe in the state.

“Consequently, we demand thorough investigation into the murder and perpetrators of this dastardly act be brought to justice at allay fears that have at the moment engulfed the teeming supporters of the APC.”

Earlier, Alabo issued a statement where he said, “On Saturday, at about 8 p.m., we received information that some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, numbering about seven, invaded a relaxation centre located along Pankshin-Jos road, and kidnapped the owner.

”In the process, a customer, one Sylvanus Namang, was shot dead by the invaders. On receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Hassan Yabanet, directed the Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Pankshin, to arrest the suspects and rescue the victim.

”Our men engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle and were able to foil the kidnap attempt. The suspects escaped with gunshot wounds while the victim was rescued and rushed to the General Hospital, Pankshin for treatment as the bandits had injured him.”

Alabo, however, disclosed that the victim was later confirmed dead at the hospital.

He quoted the commissioner as condoling the family of the deceased while assuring residents of the command’s readiness to secure their lives and property at all times.