Gunmen ambush, kill district head in fresh Plateau attack

Gunmen have shot and killed Saf Samuel Alaket, the District Head of Gwande in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The traditional ruler was reportedly ambushed around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday while returning home after attending activities at a popular local market and a traditional council meeting.

According to residents, the attackers ambushed and opened fire on the monarch’s vehicle near the boundary between Sha District and the Daffo community.

The District Head was said to have sustained severe gunshot injuries during the assault and was immediately rushed to a nearby clinic but later succumbed to his wounds.

A member of the community, Mr Aten Pukat, confirmed the incident and described the death of the traditional ruler as a painful loss to the people of Gwande and the entire Bokkos area.

Pukat said the attack had thrown the Bokkos Traditional Council and residents into mourning, noting that the district head was widely respected for his role in promoting peace and community development.

He added that condolences had continued to pour in from traditional institutions, community leaders and sympathisers following the tragic development.

Efforts to reach the Plateau police command spokesman SP Alfred Alabo for more comments were unsuccessful.