One Dead, Many Injured As Gunmen Invade Viewing Center In Hotel

At least one person has been confirmed killed and several others injured after an attack by gunmen at a hotel in Jos, Plateau State.

The attack, which was confirmed to our Correspondent in Jos on Sunday by the Deputy Commander of the Special Task Force, Emma Ado, occurred on Saturday evening when football fans were watching the FA Cup match between Man City and Watford at the Garden Palace Hotel and Bar in Busa Buji suburb of Jos.

“Yes, somebody told me of the attack, but I’m yet to get the details.

“I will get back to you as soon as I have the full details of what transpired,” the STF Deputy Commander told our Correspondent in Jos on Sunday.

Spokesman of the State Police Command, Mr. Mathias Tyopev, did not pick his calls when contacted by our Correspondent over the incident.

However,eyewitnesses said that the gunmen, suspected to be cultists, stormed the Garden Palace Hotel and Bar in Busa Buji suburb of Jos around 7pm on Saturday and opened fire on the football fans.

A resident, Philip, who escaped being killed, said that during the incident, a local footballer identified as John Davou, was hit three times in the head by the gunmen who also killed another young man instantly, while injuring several others

He said, “What I know is that during the attack, John Davou, 25, died instantly, while another man, Mr. Francis Bot, who was sitting close to him, sustained bullet wounds.

“Several others also sustained injuries while trying to escape from the scene.”

Another resident, Mathew, added, “I suspect that Davou was probably the target, because he was the only one pelted with bullets while everyone else only sustained injuries, some with bullet wounds.

“The victim recently sat for the 2019 UTME and had hoped to gain admission into the university before he was killed by the gunmen.”

“This is really sad,” Mathew added.