CRIME: Plateau Speaker escapes death, as gunmen shoot nine worshippers

The Speaker of the Plateau state House of Assembly, John Clark Dabwan, on Tuesday night escaped death when some gunmen launched an attack on a crusade in Jos South Local Government.

However, nine other worshippers, who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack, are now receiving treatment at the Plateau Specialist Hospital.

Witnesses said the gunmen invaded the venue of the crusade at the Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria, CRUDAN, demanding the whereabouts of the Speaker who came to worship.

It was learnt that the assailants invaded the centre shortly after Dabwan drove into the premises.

The gunmen reportedly shot into the crowd of worshipers.

It was not known if the attackers were armed robbers or kidnappers.

One of the worshippers, who expressed fear over the incident, said “we noticed that all was not well when we spotted the men who demanded where the speaker was.

“Some of us were not aware that the speaker was there and I think he sensed trouble so he drove out quickly before anyone could identify him.”

However, the timely arrival of members of the Special Task Force, STF, from Lomay Hotel area forced the attackers to flee.

The STF men conveyed the injured worshipers to the Plateau Specialist Hospital.

The Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Speaker, Nandak Shingle, who confirmed the incident yesterday, said Dabwan was at the church when the gunmen struck.

She, however, said the speaker escaped unhurt.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Emmauel Onuigbo, could not be reached at press time as his phones were switched off.