Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia on Wednesday ambushed and shot dead the traditional ruler of Gwande District in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Saf Samuel Alaket, while on his way back from a traditional council meeting at the council headquarters.
Eyewitnesses said the bandits ambushed the monarch’s vehicle at about 7.30pm near the boundary between Sha District and Daffo community close to his hometown, opening fire on the vehicle.
The District Head was reported to have sustained serious injuries and was later rushed to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment where he was later confirmed dead.
Peter Gwande, a community leader and member of the late District Head’s council, who confirmed the attack in a telephone call, described the murder of Saf Alaket as not only a painful loss to the people of Gwande community but also for the entire Bokkos LGA and Plateau State in general, adding that the attack has thrown the Bokkos Traditional Council and residents into mourning.
Speaking on the attack, Christopher Luka, a youth leader in the Gwande community said it has created serious tension in the area but security operatives later brought the situation under control.
Efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, failed as he did not answer his calls or respond to text messages sent to his phone.
