A member of the Plateau State House of Assembly representing Barkin Ladi Constituency, Dickson Chollom, has rejected the use of the term “unknown gunmen” to describe perpetrators of recent killings in the state, asserting that the attackers are now identified.
As reported by Vanguard, Chollom, who also chairs the House Committee on Works and Transport, made the statement during a sympathy and fact-finding visit to Heipang District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, following an attack that left three dead and one critically injured.
The victims were identified as Marvin Choji, 23; Bitrus Choji, 24; and Daniel Dung, 59. Another resident, Stephen Davou, 48, remains hospitalised with serious injuries.
According to a statement by his Senior Strategic Media and Communication Adviser, George Lambert, one suspect has been arrested and provided confessional statements implicating accomplices in the attacks.
“We will no longer accept the term ‘unknown gunmen’. One of the perpetrators has been apprehended, and he has confessed to those who assisted him in this heinous act,” Chollom said.
He urged security agencies to make the findings public, including the identities of the suspects and their detention locations, to assure residents that justice is being pursued.
The lawmaker also called on the Plateau State Commissioner of Justice to take over the case and ensure thorough prosecution.
“This is not business as usual. The people deserve the truth, and those responsible must face the full weight of the law,” Chollom emphasized.
The legislator commended the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah, for his prompt response, which included visiting the scene and deploying reinforcements, with support from neighbouring Nasarawa State, to restore calm.
During his visit, Chollom held a closed-door meeting with community leaders, elders, and youth representatives in Heipang to discuss measures for strengthening local security and collaboration with law enforcement.
He assured residents that their concerns would be escalated to the highest levels and vowed that all those responsible would be tracked down and brought to justice.