By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
The Plateau State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday raised the alarm that the party’s chairman in Jos-South LGA, Hon. Dung Tari, along with his niece, was abducted three weeks ago by men said to be dressed in military uniform.
The Party said, since the abduction, nothing has been heard from him or his abductors or the reason for his abduction.
The PDP also appealed to the National Security Adviser(NSA), the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector General of Police to wade in and ensure he is released by his abductors.
The alarm was raised by the PDP chairman in the State, Christopher Hassan, while briefing journalists at the party’s secretariat in Jos, the State Capital.
Hassan said, “It is with pains that the Peoples Democratic Party, Plateau State Chapter, address you on this unfortunate incident that took place on the 25th September 2023 at Bukuru Total Junction where some personnel in military uniform abducted one of our serving LGA chairman, in the person of Hon. Dung Tari aka Yellow.
According to him, “Information reaching us that he was abducted around 1:30pm after a meeting with his Executive Committee of Jos South Local Government Chapter, at the LGA party office Bukuru where he picked his niece on his way to attend to a family matter, he stopped at Total Filling Station, Bukuru where he parked to respond to calls.
“Suddenly, two Toyota Hilux pick-up trucks in military colours and number plates, men in Nigerian army uniform surrounded him and bundled him into one of the Toyota Hilux pick-up truck while one of the soldiers forced his niece out of his private car and they proceeded to an unknown destination with no information from his abductors.
“Until this time of this press briefing, we have not heard from him nor his abductors neither is his family informed of his whereabouts and the reason for his abduction”, he explained.
“We have taken steps by reporting to the various security agencies in the state to commence investigation as to his whereabouts the party is worried of his safety because his absence is causing serious concerns to the Party and Jos South Local Government Area.
The chairman further stated that, “This abduction which was carried out in a commando style is capable of causing breach of the fragile peace being enjoyed in the state.
“It has been 3 weeks since his abduction by men of the Nigerian army and he has not been charged before any court of law or granted administrative bail which is in contravention of his fundamental right as a Nigerian citizen.
“We appeal to the National Security Adviser(NSA), the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector General of Police, to use their good office to intervene and order for the immediate release of Hon Dung Tari and we promise to provide sureties who will produce him upon demand.
“His immediate release will calm the tension already brewing in his family, Jos South Community and the PDP family in the State”, he admonished.
Reacting to the allegation, Spokesman of the Military taskforce responsible for the maintenance of peace in the State code named Operation Safe Haven OPSH, Captain Oya James, said, “I have received several calls over the accusations by the PDP and I have also made calls and found out that nothing like that happened.
“They said those who carried out the abduction used military vehicles but if you know the time we are in, we have have been parading suspects using vehicles, camouflage and other military items to commit crime.
“But if they claimed that they have an eye witness, let the person come forward and bring pictures or proof of any kind involving our troops, then we can trace the vehicle because all our military vehicles have numbers.”
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