- Kidnap of serving, retired military personnel, family members, on the increase in Plateau State
Unknown gunmen on Thursday kidnapped and killed Navy Captain Yakubu Agwom, a retired officer of the Nigerian Navy.
The abductors and killers of Captain Agwom had arrived at his residence at Fobur village in Jos East LGA of Plateau State, armed with AK-47 rifles.
Alerted on the development, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria mobilised for a rescue operation but unfortunately discovered his body in a forest.
In addition to his body, another corpse was also recovered at the scene.
The troops, in conjunction with Nigeria Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit however succeeded in trailing the kidnappers to Babawo community, Jos East Local Government Area.
The two suspected kidnappers were arrested.
However, a source noted that “youths from Fobur community, infuriated at the killing of Captain Agwom, attacked the Police personnel who had the two suspects in their custody and snatched them. They instantly lynched the two suspects on the spot.”
Sources said that the kidnap and killing of Captain Agwom may be an indication that he and his family members have been on the trail of the gunmen. This is because on December 29, 2020, his wife was kidnapped.
Sources said that serving and retired servicemen and their families are the target of recent attack by bandits. For example, on Jun 8, 2021, the wife of Brigadier General Victor Ita was kidnapped around Rukuba road, Jos, capital of Plateau State.
But she was later released after the payment of ransom.
The source warned that “as things are right now, it is suspected that military personnel and their families are becoming targets of kidnappers and assailants. It is therefore imperative and advisable that serving and retired personnel as well as their families take both physical and personal security precautions. They should take their personal security and that of their family members seriously to avoid being victims.”
