One killed, eight kidnapped as bandits raid Plateau mosque, community

Bandits have stormed the Dogon Ruwa Mosque and Community in the Bashar District of the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing a resident and kidnapping Abdulrashid Baduku, an Imam (Muslim Leader) and his Muezzin (Prayer Caller) and six others in the area.

Dogon Ruwa is one of the communities that has been hard-hit by banditry and kidnapping in recent times.

A resident, who did not want his name in print, said the victims of the invasion were attacked on the outskirts of the community, where they were making charcoal for commercial use.

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Shapi’i Sambo, a youth leader in Wase LGA, confirmed the incident, saying the attack had caused panic among local residents.

Sambo said, “The victims were processing charcoal when the gunmen stormed the area. Abdulrashid Baduku, an Imam from Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), and his Muezzin were among the victims.

“After the attack, the residents trailed the attackers but couldn’t catch up with them because it was evening. The attack has caused panic among our people.:

Sambo said security personnel had been stationed in the area and more security men had been deployed to boost security and encourage the residents to remain calm.

Meanwhile, Alfred Alabo, the Plateau State Police Command’s Spokesperson had not responded to calls as of press time.

Recently, bandits ambushed soldiers and vigilance group men in the same Dogon Ruwa community, killing two soldiers and two vigilantes.

Also, last week Monday, gunmen attacked Sabon Gari and Zak communities, killing five residents and a soldier.

Nathaniel E. Gbaoron is the Plateau State correspondent for BusinessDay and a seasoned journalist with a decade of experience covering sub-national affairs across Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and other states.

He holds both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from Fidel Polytechnic, Gboko. Over the years, he has participated in numerous media trainings and workshops spanning various areas of reporting, strengthening his expertise in economic and political reporting, community-level governance, development stories, and conflict-sensitive journalism. He is a member of Correspondent Chapel in Plateau state, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he is also a Rotarian and a member of Plateau Club 1921.

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