The prevailing peace in the southern part of Plateau State was ruptured on Friday following the killing of a former Commissioner Mr. Sagwak Wazhi by some gunmen suspected to be armed robbers while other occupants of his vehicle escaped by the whiskers.
A source close to the family of the deceased in Jos, Plateau State told Saturday Tribune that the deceased who served in the administration of former Governor Jonah Jang and a serving caretaker chairman of Langtang South Local Government Area of the State, Hon Nicholas Vongsin were returning from an official function in the Southern zone when their vehicle was waylaid by armed men along Mangu – Barakin Ladi highway on Thursday.
It was learnt that armed men stopped the car at a gun point, demanded for money and other valuables after which one of the gunmen opened fire on the former commissioner at close range and killed him instantly while the driver and the caretaker chairman fled into nearby bush with injuries.
The source further disclosed that the robbers abandoned the former commissioner in his vehicle while some good Samaritans who arrived the scene shortly after the incident conveyed him and his driver who sustained injuries to General Hospital in Mangu where Wazhi was confirmed dead.
A staff of Langtang South Local Government who craved anonymity confirmed the incident but however added that the chairman of the council escaped unhurt, the driver with injuries while the former commissioner was unlucky.
“The incident occurred Thursday night at about 8:45 p.m. along Mangu/Barkinladi bypass. Honourable Nicholas Vongsing, our council chairman, was in the car with Honourable Sargwak Wazhi. The robbers shot at the car, killed Hon Sargwak Wazhi; his driver was also shot, but he did not die while our chairman escaped”
The State Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Terna Tyopen who confirmed the incident said the Command has commence full investigation into the incident.