Tragedy As Gunmen Kill Two In Plateau Community

The deceased

Unknown gunmen have killed two young men identified as Joseph Davou and Jerry Bitrus in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday, January 10, at about 8:00 pm at Nod area along Hoss-Rim road in the local government.

The duo had gone to check on Joseph’s wife who delivered a baby boy at Bachi District of Riyom LGA and were going back to Kuru after community in Jos South LGA.
 
According to a source in the community, the gunmen who had laid siege on the road opened fire at two of them on a motorcycle, killing them instantly while other road users scampered for safety to avoid being hit.

The father of 28-year-old Joseph Davou confirmed the death of his son and the other victim, Jerry Bitrus, 32.

"My heart is sadden with the sudden demise of my son and his friend who came to check on his wife who gave birth, but couldn’t return to Kuru, where they based, all because they had confidence in security personnel of Operations Safe Haven that came on patrol from their Sector Headwaters at Hoss to Bachi," said the distraught father, Da Davou Dantyyang.

"I cautioned them them not to go as night was fast approaching, but they insisted to go back as security agents on patrol will give them security cover to the main road, where from they would on their own proceed to Kuru…unfortunately, they were visited with untimely death at their prime age."

Dantyang appealed to both the government and security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act, adding that most communities in the interior parts of Riyom local government were under siege of notorious gunmen.

The Divisional Police Headquarters of Riyom LGA confirmed the tragic incident, adding that some used shells of ammunitions have been recovered from the scene, as well as the motorcycle of the deceased.

He said their corpses were evacuated to Vom Christian Hospital from where they would be further taken to Jos University Teaching Hospital-JUTH for autopsy examination before burial which has been slated for 12th January, 2021.