Sylvanus Namang, the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) state publicity secretary, was killed, according to the Plateau Police Command.
Namang was shot and killed by gunmen at a rest area in Pankshin, according to a statement made on Sunday in Jos by Alfred Alabo, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO).
The police clarification comes against the backdrop of initial rumors that the deceased journalist was a victim of political assassination.
Alabo said: “Yesterday (Sunday), 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,” he said.
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.
