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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Insecurity has continued to raise concerns in Plateau State following the killing of an 18-year-old vigilante member in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and the abduction of two visually impaired persons along the Jos-Akwanga road in Riyom Local Government Area.
The incidents occurred as a female student of Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, who was abducted by armed men on Saturday, regained her freedom.
The slain vigilante member, Divine Dung Davou, was reportedly killed at about 12:23 a.m. during an attack on Rachas village in Heipang District, Barkin Ladi.
The two abducted persons, members of the Nigeria Association for the Blind, were seized on Monday night while returning to Jos from a trip to Benue State.
The kidnappers have reportedly demanded N50 million ransom for the release of the victims, a man and a woman, who were among a nine-member delegation travelling for a programme that was subsequently postponed.
Davou’s killing has thrown the Rachas community into mourning, with the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) demanding an urgent investigation and stronger security measures to protect vulnerable communities.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the association condemned the killing and called on the Plateau State Police Command and other security agencies to apprehend those responsible.
It also urged security agencies to strengthen patrols, improve intelligence gathering and activate rapid response mechanisms in communities repeatedly exposed to attacks.
“We also urge the Plateau State and Federal Governments to move beyond routine assurances and implement concrete, sustained measures to protect lives and property, particularly in communities repeatedly exposed to attacks,” the statement said.
The association extended condolences to the bereaved family and residents of Rachas, warning that continued attacks on rural communities could deepen insecurity and heighten residents’ fears.
Giving details of the abduction of the visually impaired persons, a member of the Nigeria Association for the Blind, Ishaya Ayuba Danjatau, told journalists in Jos that the delegation had reached Akwanga when its members received information that their scheduled programme in Benue State had been postponed.
The development forced them to turn back to Jos.
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“Our members were going for a programme in Benue State, but while they were around Akwanga, they received a call that the programme had been postponed. They had to turn back to return to Jos, but around Riyom, they were kidnapped by heavily armed men,” Danjatau said.
He disclosed that the abductors contacted a negotiator at about 7 a.m. on Tuesday, using one of the victims’ mobile phones, and demanded N50 million ransom.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Shindol Aaron, said the victims were abducted at about 8 p.m. on Monday.
“They were nine in the vehicle. Seven of them escaped and two were abducted. So, right now, we have a male and a lady in their custody,” he said.
Aaron confirmed that the kidnappers had contacted an individual over the release of the victims, although he had not personally spoken with them.
A police source contacted by our correspondent said the incident could not immediately be confirmed as formally reported to the police, explaining that such reports ordinarily passed through the relevant Divisional Police Officer.
Meanwhile, Plateau State University confirmed that Favour Ayuba, a first-year female student abducted on Saturday night from an off-campus residential area in Bokkos, had regained her freedom following a joint security operation involving the institution and security personnel.
Ayuba was reportedly abducted after going out with another female student, while another person was shot and injured during the incident.
Confirming her release, the university’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Masara Kim, said the student was rescued after her abductors abandoned her and fled on sighting advancing security personnel.⁷
“She was abandoned by her captors after the university, in collaboration with a joint security team, launched an operation that forced them to flee on sighting the advancing team,” Kim said.
He explained that Ayuba was subsequently taken to a hospital for medical examination, adding that the university was working with security agencies to strengthen safety arrangements for students and staff within and around the institution.
The incidents have renewed concerns over the safety of residents, students and travellers in parts of Plateau State, with affected groups calling for more effective measures to protect lives and property.
