Insecurity: Police denies alleged kidnap of CSP in Taraba

The Taraba state command of the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, has debunked a report that kidnappers abducted a Chief Superintendent of Police CSP in Jalingo, the state capital.

The command said the report was false, as the CSP in question, Balanko Alex Gamaliel, was shot in his leg alongside his daughter, Miss Patient Tamak.

The command made this known in a press statement made available to journalists in Jalingo on Monday while reacting to the reports of kidnappers’ activities in the Jalingo metropolis last week.

Signed by the command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Usman, the command admitted that “Men of the Tactical Unit of the Command received a distress call indicating that there were heavy gunshots heard around the neighbourhood at Mile Six area.

Stressing that “Information has it that unknown gunmen scaled through the fence and invaded the house of one CSP Balanko Alex Gamaliel,” the Police officer said, “is attached to Rivers State Police Command, but he is in Jalingo on sick leave. “

Disturbed that the gunmen fled before the arrival of the Police, the hoodlums kidnapped the wife of the CSP, Mrs.Agnes Balanko, age 38 years and his daughter, Miss Winnie Tamak, age 13 years, to an unknown destination.

Stating that “the house owner, CSP Balanko Alex Gamaliel, was shot in his leg, alongside his daughter, Miss Patient Tamak. Victims were rushed to Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Jalingo for treatment, but the girl was confirmed dead by the Medical Doctor while receiving treatment at the hospital.”

Calling on members of the public to shun spreading fake and mischievous information that could lead to the breakdown of law and order in the State capital, the need for the people of the State to disregard the report making news on social media platforms, “as it is misleading, and misinforming which can lead to a breach of peace” he said have become necessary.

He also beckoned to the public to assist the Police by giving them useful and actionable information that may help the Police in their fight against crime and criminality in the State.

As noticed by our reporter, the Kidnapping incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 10th September 2023, along UMCN Seminary Road, mile six, Jalingo Taraba State.