Gunmen suspected to be kidnapers have killed Sylvanus Namang, spokesperson of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau state.
Namang, 65, was shot dead on Saturday at a relaxation centre in Pankshin, headquarters of Pankshin Local Government Area of the state.
He was said to have been shot when the gunmen invaded the popular relaxation centre, located along Pankshin- Jos road at about 10pm.
The kidnappers, said to be seven in number, shot Namang in the process of abducting the owner of the centre who was rescued but later died in the hospital.
Alfred Alabo, spokesperson of the Plateau state police command, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday in Jos.
He said the gunmen, numbering seven, invaded the centre at about 10pm and abducted Sunny Okonkwo, the owner of the centre, and in the process, Namang was shot dead.
The police statement reads: “On the 17/02/2024 at about 2000hrs we received information that some unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, numbering about seven (7) invaded the relaxation centre, one Mr Sunny Okonkwo, located along Pankshin – Jos road, and kidnapped the owner.
“While in the process, a customer, one Sylvanus Namang was shot dead by the assailants.
“On receipt of the information, the Commissioner of police, CP Hassan Steve Yabanet, directed the Area Commander and DPO Pankshin to arrest the suspects and rescue the victims.
“The Area Commander and DPO immediately swung into action, engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle and due to our superior gun power, we were able to foil the kidnap attempt.
“The suspects ran away with serious gunshot injuries, the victim was rescued and rushed to the General Hospital, Pankshin for treatment of both bullet and matchet injuries”.
“The statement added that, “After much struggling for his life, the victim was later confirmed dead by the medical doctor”.
Alabo expressed condolences with the families of the deceaseds, assuring that the police will do everything within its power to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The statement also confirmed the arrest of one suspect in connection with the abduction of two Catholic priests in Pankshin Diocese who is assisting the police in arresting the remaining suspects.
Born on June 30, 1958, in Kopal, Mangu LGA of Plateau state, Namang attended the famous Government College, Keffi, Nasarawa state, between 1972 to 1976, after which he proceeded to the University of Jos and graduated in 1980.
He started his journalism practice at the Plateau state government owned newspaper, The Nigeria Standard.
He was at various times features editor, training editor, editor and General Manager of the newspaper.
He also served as a media aide to late Ibrahim Mantu, a former senate president.
The veteran journalist also had a stint as the zonal director of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in the North Central.
He was at one time, secretary of the Plateau chapter of the Keffi Old Boys Association (KOBA), an umbrella body for his alma-mater.
Gunmen invade relaxation centre, kill Plateau APC spokesperson, businessman
