Gunmen attack and kill district head in Plateau

Gunmen have killed the district head of Gwande, Saf Samuel Alaket, in an ambush in Plateau State.

The attack happened around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Sha District, close to the boundary with Daffo in Bokkos Local Government Area, residents reported.

Sources from the community told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Alaket was on his way home from the popular Tuesday market in Daffo when gunmen stopped his vehicle. He had just attended a traditional council meeting in Bokkos before he set off.

Witnesses said the attackers fired shots near the Sha, Daffo boundary, leaving the traditional ruler badly injured. He was taken to a nearby clinic, where he later died.

A community member, Mr Aten Pukat, confirmed the tragic news, calling it a huge loss for Gwande and the larger Bokkos area.

He mentioned that the incident has put the Bokkos Traditional Council and local residents in deep mourning.

“Saf Samuel Alaket was widely respected for his commitment to peace and community development,” Mr Pukat stated. He also noted that condolences have been coming in from traditional institutions, community leaders, and sympathisers.

Attempts to get official confirmation from the police were not successful as calls to the spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, went unanswered at the time of this report.