OSBC Osun State Broadcasting Corporation
A traditional ruler in Plateau State, His Royal Highness, Aminu Derwan, have been kidnapped after bandits numbering over 20, attacked his palace in Panyam, Mangu Local Government Area of the state early Monday morning
It was learnt that the gunmen took away Derwan, the district head of Panyam, after scaring residents with gunshots in the early hours of Monday.
A resident of Panyam community, Moses Garuba who confirmed the abduction of the monarch in Jos said, “It was around midnight that the bandits, who were more than 20 and heavily armed, surrounded the district head’s palace in Panyam.
“Because his house was not fenced, some villagers who saw how his house was surrounded by strange people alerted other members of the community through a community bell. But immediately the bandits heard the bell, they started firing gunshots and eventually went away with the traditional ruler, leaving the community helpless.”
Some residents, who condemned the attack said that the incident had been reported to the police division in the locality.
The Punch reports that the spokesman for state police Command, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached when contacted on the incident as his mobile phones were switched off.
The kidnap of the district head is the latest in a series of abductions targeted at traditional rulers and the clergymen in the state.