Plateau Speaker escapes death as gunmen storm Christian retreat

Plateau State House of Assembly Speaker, Honorable John Clark Dabwan, on Tuesday night, narrowly escaped death.

Sources say trouble started when some unknown gunmen stormed the Christians Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria (CRUDAN) Guest Inn in Jos South Local Government Area of the state, where he was having a retreat along with some church clerics.
DailyPost gathered that the incident occurred at about 10.00 p.m when the gunmen forcefully gained entrance into the inn and freely wielded their dangerous weapons, demanding for the Speaker’s whereabouts.

It was learnt that the speaker drove into the premises resulting to sporadic shooting by the gunmen who followed him, injuring about 9 of the worshipers.

The speaker, who was also in the hall at the time of the incident, was, however, lucky, as the gunmen did not identify him.

An eyewitness said, the way and manner the men demanded for the Speaker spelt more meaning than people who just came to rob.

“We noticed that all was not well when we spotted the men who vigorously and repeated demanded for the Speaker in loud tone.

“Meanwhile, some of us were not even aware that the Speaker was in the congregation before the incident. And how the he managed to sneak out quickly before anyone could identify him is still a mystery,” he said.

It was learnt that the retreat was abruptly brought to an end, while worshippers left for their various homes after the attack.

The Special Security Task Force in the state got to the scene shortly after the gunmen had flee to helped in conveying those who sustained injuries to the State Specialist Hospital for treatment.

According to a statement issued by the state House of Assembly, signed by the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mrs Nandak Chingle, it was confirmed that the Speaker narrowly escaped unhurt but that the robbers made away with personal items and other valuables from the people at the retreat.

Efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Onuigbo, for official confirmation failed.