Plateau: We know those killing our people — Lawmaker

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File: Governor Mutfwang in an armoured vehicle during his condolence visit.

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By Golok Nanmwa, JOS

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A member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, representing Barkin Ladi Constituency, Dickson Chollom, has rejected the use of the term “unknown gunmen” in recent attacks, declaring that those behind the killings are now known.

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Chollom, who also chairs the House Committee on Works and Transport, made the assertion during a sympathy and fact-finding visit to Heipang District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, following a recent attack that claimed three lives and left one person critically injured.

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The victims were identified as Marvin Choji, 23; Bitrus Choji, 24; and Daniel Dung, 59, while Stephen Davou, 48, is receiving treatment for serious injuries.

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In a statement by his Senior Strategic Media and Communication Adviser, George Lambert, the lawmaker disclosed that one of the suspects had been arrested and had made confessional statements revealing the identities of his accomplices.

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“We will no longer accept the term ‘unknown gunmen’. One of the perpetrators has been arrested and he has made confessions about those who joined him in carrying out this heinous attack,” Chollom said.

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He insisted that the matter must not be treated as routine, stressing that residents of Barkin Ladi and Plateau State deserve transparency and justice.

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Chollom called on security agencies to make public the confessions and findings of their investigations, including the identities of suspects and their places of detention, to assure the public that justice is being pursued.

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He also urged the Plateau State Commissioner of Justice to take over the case and ensure diligent prosecution.

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“This is not business as usual. The people deserve to know the truth, and those responsible must face the full weight of the law,” he added.

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The lawmaker commended the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Bassey Ewah, for his prompt response, including visiting the scene and deploying reinforcements with support from neighbouring Nasarawa State to restore calm.

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During the visit, Chollom held a closed-door meeting with community leaders, youth representatives and elders in Heipang, focusing on strengthening local security and collaboration with security agencies.

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He assured residents that their concerns would be escalated to the highest levels, vowing that those behind the attacks would be tracked down and brought to justice.

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