Family of three killed as gunmen attack Plateau community

• B’Haram abducts govt official, siblings in Yobe
• Malami assures on arraignment of terrorists
• CAN cautions against renewed violence in Southern Kaduna, MACBAN claims three herders died

Gunmen have killed three people from the same family in Rijiyan Giwa, Shendam Local Council of Plateau State.

The victims were later identified as Talwa Gobak, his wife, Nenpomwa, and their 12- year-old daughter, Nyokdel.

“Around 4a.m. on the fateful day, gunshots were heard in the direction of the victims’ residence. The killers went straight to their bedroom and opened fire on the victims on their bed, killing them instantly

“But before residents could reach them, the attackers had escaped. The victims were yam farmers, who migrated from Kabwir in Kanke,” a community source told journalists, yesterday.

ALSO, suspected Boko Haram terrorists have kidnapped an official of Yobe State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD), identified as Haruna Mutai, and two brothers along Damaturu/Buni Yadi/Biu road in Yobe.

The government official and two of his younger brothers were abducted on Tuesday near the College of Agriculture, Damaturu.

Confirming the incident, yesterday, in Damaturu, an employee of the ministry disclosed: “I saw Mutai and his two brothers departing for Buni Yadi for an official engagement to inspect the housing projects in Gujba Local Council.”

The terrorists accosted the victims near the college and dragged them towards Sambisa Forest, the source added.

Some of the victims that escaped abduction told The Guardian that the terrorists barricaded the road before abducting an official and his two brothers at 8.25a.m.

MEANWHILE, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has assured of the continuation of court sittings in Kainji, New Bussa, for the prosecution of terrorism cases.

The minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Gwandu, stated, yesterday, that the minister made the disclosure while receiving the Nigerian Ambassador to The Netherlands, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, on Tuesday.

Malami reportedly commended the envoy for her tireless efforts and patriotism.

He added: With due diligence to Nigeria’s mandate under Article 86 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal court (ICC), Nigeria cooperated fully with the court through submission of relevant documents and reports of panels of enquiry.”

Malami, the aide noted, said a committee had already been established for the domestication of the Rome Statute in Nigeria.
KADUNA State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has cautioned against renewed violence in Southern Kaduna, just as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) claimed that three herders were killed in a fresh crisis.

The Chairman of Kaduna CAN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, stated: “We received, with sadness, the news of the killing of a herder in Kaduna, which has led to renewed circle of massacres. The development is tragic. Therefore, CAN appeals to citizens and all stakeholders to join hands to stop this new wave of killings.

“Our dear state has been in the news for the wrong reasons, including banditry, assaults on communities and killing of innocent citizens. This evil must stop now and those keeping quiet need to speak up forthwith.” (The Guardian: Excludes headline)