By Sylvanus Viashima
JALINGO – The local Vigilante in Sandirde village, Gassol local government area of Taraba State allegedly shot and killed a Police officer Asp Tapu Godfrey while on routine patrol in the area.
The State Commissioner of Police CP David Iloyanomon, who disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement describes the attack as despicable and unwarranted.
The statement reads in part:
“The Taraba State Police command wishes to inform the public of the unwarranted attack and gruesome murder of a Police officer by the local vigilante group in Sandirde village led by one Ali Dissol , Gassol LGA.
On 4/5/2024, a team of special strike force operatives attached to Government House Taraba State led by SP Jamu Emmanuel, while on routine patrol at Sandirde village Gassol LGA were ambushed by a group of local vigilante.
The vigilante group shot sporadically, as a result one AP/NO 191462 Asp TAPU GODFREY was shot on his lap. A team of detective from Gassol Division led by the Dco rushed to the scene and took the victim to General Hospital Sandirde for treatment where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
“On 5/5/2024, the Commissioner of Police Taraba state Command accompanied by the Deputy commissioner of Police in-charge of operations and Personnel of 40PMF Jalingo paid a fact finding /security assessment visit to Gassol. The team met with stakeholders which include the emir of Gassol and the District head of Sandirde town. The outcome of the meeting was on how to get the attackers arrested and also to develop roadmap to endearing security in the local Government.
“Meanwhile, the command has described the unprovoked criminal act of the gruesome murder of the officer as despicable and unwarranted. Hence, the command has deployed intelligence and operational resources to sustain manhunt of the fleeing attackers and bring the perpetrators of this senseless act to book.
“Finally, I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of the deceased officer and use this medium to also re-assure the general public that no stone would to left unturned in combating crime and criminality” the statement reads.
