All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman for Plateau State, Hon. Rufus Bature, has stated that assassins, not kidnappers or robbers, assassinated party spokesman Mr. Sylvanus Namang.
Gunmen killed Namang at a Pankshin relaxation area, according to DSP Alfred Alabo, the Plateau Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO).
However, during a news conference on Monday at the party’s Secretariat, the chairman of the party stated, “Based on information provided to the party, Hon. Namang was brutally murdered at a Pankshin provision store by a few gunmen who may have been assassins, along with the store owner.”
“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.”
Alabo had earlier released a statement in which he stated, “We learned that some gunmen, estimated to be seven in number, broke into a relaxation centre along Pankshin-Jos road on Saturday at approximately 8 p.m. and abducted 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.
