The Chairman of Gassol Local Government Area in Taraba State, Hon. Abubakar Saidu, narrowly escaped a kidnap attempt when armed men invaded his residence in Jalingo in the early hours of Friday.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who shared details of the incident on Saturday, approximately eight armed men suspected to be kidnappers stormed the chairman's home located in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Jalingo around 2 a.m.
The assailants were reportedly carrying at least four AK-47 rifles during the attempted abduction. Hon. Saidu spotted the attackers from his window and immediately contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) responsible for the area.
"The police, along with local vigilantes, responded swiftly. The quick action of the security team forced the gunmen to flee without succeeding in their plan to abduct the chairman," Makama reported.
Following the incident, Hon. Saidu expressed gratitude for the prompt intervention of the police and vigilantes, acknowledging that their rapid response prevented what could have potentially been a serious tragedy.
The chairman has since appealed to the Taraba State Commissioner of Police to deploy additional officers to secure his residence and enhance protection for public officials throughout the state.
This incident comes amid growing concerns about the security situation in Taraba State, where kidnapping and other violent crimes have been on the rise in recent months. Local authorities continue to grapple with ensuring the safety of residents and public officials alike.
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