Masquerade Disappear In Tarok, Police Effect Arrest Of 10 For Alleged Killing
Yakubu Busari
At no fewer than Ten (10) Tarok speaking native were paraded on Friday at Plateau State Police Command headquarters for alleged killing of one Nden Gungnim by the village masquerade in Wase Local Government Council for using witchcraft power in attacking children ,and others to death.
The CP Isaac Akinmoyede who disclosed during a press briefing at the command headquarters said ,those arrested in connection with the killing by masquerades include; Domven Zwalchir 75 yrs, 2. Singtak Dangnap 50 yrs, 3. Gilmak Jamda 45yrs, 4. Timchang Gungtim 38yrs, 5. Selkap Danjuma 36yrs, 6. Takjina Kuman 80yrs, 7. Gwakzing Seljum 33yrs, 8. Nimdip Zwalbin 50yrs, 9. Nantim Jamda 46yrs and, 10. Danjuma Fankur 70yrs all male of the above-mentioned address
Akinmoyede told media that they conspired, arrest and took one Nden Gungnim ‘m’ aged 35yrs whom they accused of being a wizard to a forest in qur.
The deceased (Nden Gungnim) was tortured, killed and was buried in the shallow grave there. On receiving the report, the command deploy detectives who immediately swung into action by arresting the above suspects that confessed to the commission of the crime.
He added that the detectives took took them to the scene of crime where the body of the deceased was exhumed and taken to the Langtang General Hospital for Autopsy.
According to him, the action of the suspects is barbaric, dastardly and repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.
Akinmoyede explained further that, the command had embark on thorough investigation which is still ongoing at the end of which suspects will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Also the arrest of one (1) notorious cultist in a case of culpable homicide and unlawful possession of firearm. On 13/08/2019 at about 2356hrs, the Command raided Jenta area of Jos North LGA and in the process arrested one Ugochukwu Nwosu ‘m’ 25yrs old of the same area. His house was searched immediately and two (2) locally made pistols and five (5) cartridges were recovered. During interrogation he confessed to being a member of a dreaded cult group called ‘Black Axe’.
He further informed the police that he was initiated sometime in December, 2018.
CP Isaac Akinmoyede stated further that he actively participated in the killing of one Chinedu 3K3 Chimex at Chorbe Junction in Joe North LGA on 2nd August 2019 at about 1100hrs.
Investigation is ongoing to arrest his accomplices The suspect us yet to disclose the source of the two locally made pistols. He shall be charged to court as soon as investigation in over.
The ember months are here with us and it is a notorious fact that they are associated with hype in activities including crime.
The Command is however resolved to cut down on crime in the state. Consequently, we are down strengthening the office personnel and deploying them to the field. Also, the patrol system is being reorganized for effectiveness and efficiency.
There will be more visibility policing and better partnership with the public. Already, dialogue as a tool by the Command in resolving disputes which would otherwise have snowballed into crisis situation is achieving results.
The Command has succeeded to a very large extent in discouraging the public from giving colouration of tube or religion to crime as “a crime is a crime”.
The Command approach has worked well particularly in Jos North where issue of religion in crime has virtually been eradicated. Stakeholders in the area have imbibed the culture of resolving disputes in a matured manner by coming on the round table and adhering to the rule of law.
Issue of land and chieftaincy disputes are also being managed in some of the communities using alternative dispute resolution approach in order to prevent escalation and breakdown of law and order.
On a final note, the Command wish to appeal to good people of the State to shun acts of extrajudicial killing by way of reprisal attacks. An offended party in a criminal matter should always bring his complaint before the police for investigation and possible prosecution instead of taking laws into his own hands. Also, members of the public should desist from meting out justice on perceived offenders as they are not members of the bench. The public have the right to arrest but should thereafter hand over the suspect to the police but should not hurt or kill him.
I want to thank the law-abiding citizens of this state for their cooperation in making the fight against crime and criminality easy for law enforcement agents. The Command is poised to serve you better in these ember months.
The support of the media in our crusade and the publicity given to police activities has no doubt been tremendous. The public are better informed and educated on the good intentions of the police towards them and the need to form a strong alliance against the men of the underworld.
Once again I appreciate the good people of the state, the members of the 4th estate of the realm and the gallant, professional and indefatigable police officers of the Command that have brought about these successes.
