Gunmen attack Plateau speaker, clerics •3 killed in Maiduguri explosion

SPEAKER, Plateau State House of Assembly, Honourable John Clark Dabwan, on Tuesday, escaped death by a whisker, when some gunmen stormed 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.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that the incident occurred at about 10.00 p.m when the gunmen forcefully gained entrance into the inn and asked worshippers to lie down, before dispossessing them of their belongings.
In the confusion that ensued, the gunmen shot at some people, while others sustained injuries as a result of  the severe beating they received from the marauders.
The speaker, who was also in the hall at the time of the incident, was, however, lucky, as the gunmen did not identify him.
It was learnt that the retreat was abruptly brought to an end, while worshippers left for their various houses after the attack.
The Special Task Force in charge of security in the state got the scene shortly after the gunmen left and 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, the speaker escaped unhurt.
Efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Onuigbo, for official confirmation failed.
In another development, three people were killed as an improvised explosive device exploded at the Post Office Roundabout, in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, on Wednesday.
The bomb device was suspected to have been planted by the members of the Boko Haram sect.
Confirming the incident, spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Lieutenant-Colonel Sagir Musa, in an electronic statement sent to newsmen in Maiduguri, said “the explosion led to the death of three civilians, including the bomber, while two others were wounded and a JTF vehicle damaged.”
Meanwhile, the JTF has called on the public to disregard leaflets allegedly printed and circulated by members of the Boko Haram sect that it has not entered into cease fire and will dialogue with the Federal Government.
The JTF spokesman asked the public to disregard such publication and consider it as part of the propaganda strategy to keep the civil populace in captivity and fear.
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