Gunmen Abduct Plateau Monarch

Gunmen have abducted Charles Mato Dakat, a traditional ruler in Mangu, Plateau State.

The monarch’s palace was attacked in the wee hours of Sunday morning by gunmen.

Helen Bulus a resident in the community gave an account to The PUNCH on how the incident occurred.

She said: “The incident happened between 1am and 2am. The gunmen came in large numbers to his palace.

“He was in the palace alone because the wife had travelled to Jos and the children were also not around. All through the wee hours, there was heavy shooting by the bandits in his palace, and people in the community were running in different directions.

“So, this morning at daybreak, we went to the palace only to discover that the gunmen have taken the traditional ruler away.”

The lawmaker representing Mangu South in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Bala Fwangje, also confirmed the incident

He said: “The incident is rather unfortunate.

“I just confirmed the kidnap incident with some of the security men. I also spoke with the paramount ruler, Mishkaham Mwaghavul of Mwaghavul nation who also confirmed to me what happened. Right now, the security men are in the bush trying to rescue the kidnapped traditional ruler.”