A Jos-based lawyer, Francis Thaddeus, narrowly escaped death last night when six armed men invaded his residence, overpowered the security guard on duty, and ransacked the house for several minutes.
The intruders were said to have scaled the fence, subdued the guard, identified simply as Mr. Udo, and forced entry into the building. Sensing danger, Mr. Thaddeus slipped out through a back door, climbed the rear fence, and took refuge in a neighbour’s apartment. Frustrated at not finding him, the assailants allegedly fired shots into the air before fleeing.
Speaking by telephone, the victim’s sister, Mrs. Francisca Imasuen, alleged that the attack followed months of threats linked to a protracted land dispute in Abuja, in which her brother secured judgment for his clients against persons she described as members of the Ansaru Islamic organisation.
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She lamented what she called police inaction despite leads and evidence purportedly provided by the family.
“We have not been able to reach him since the incident, and we are praying for his safety,” she said, adding that relatives had earlier taken precautionary steps as threats intensified ahead of the court’s decision.
Contacted for comment, Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed that the Command had received a report of the incident, but said he had yet to be fully briefed and would provide details after preliminary findings. As of press time, the police had not issued a full statement.
The incident has rekindled concerns over targeted attacks in the metropolis and the ability of security agencies to promptly deter threats and bring culprits to justice.