Tension has gripped Plateau State after unidentified gunmen launched a late-night attack on the residence of former Sports Minister, Mr. Damishi Sango, in Dalwal village, Riyom Local Government Area. The assailants stormed the compound around 10:46 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, leaving a trail of tragedy in their wake.
According to reports, the gunmen opened fire shortly after breaching the property. A female relative of the former minister was hit during the shooting and later died at the Plateau Specialists Hospital in Jos, where she was rushed for treatment.
Also wounded in the attack was Inspector Walba Go Tom, a police officer attached to the Special Protection Unit Base 4 in Makurdi, who had been assigned to protect Mr. Sango. The officer sustained serious gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical care.
Security sources revealed that the attackers made away with Inspector Tom’s service rifle, an automatic weapon with a specific breach number, intensifying concerns over armed criminal activity in the region. The swift escape of the gunmen before the arrival of reinforcements has raised further questions about ongoing security lapses in parts of Plateau State.
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The shocking incident has drawn strong reactions, with former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung sending his condolences to Mr. Sango and his grieving family. He described the attack as a “heinous act of cowardice” and called for swift action from law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Local authorities have yet to issue an official statement, but a manhunt is reportedly underway to track down those responsible. The tragic killing adds to the growing insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, where communities continue to grapple with sporadic violence and banditry.
Residents of Dalwal village have expressed fear and outrage over the attack, urging the government to bolster security presence in vulnerable areas and protect the lives of law-abiding citizens.
As the investigation unfolds, Plateau State remains on high alert, with many calling for urgent reforms to stop the rising tide of violence sweeping through rural communities.
