The Senator representing Plateau South, Nora Dadu’ut, her husband, close family members, aides and some journalists, were on Thursday, attacked when irate youths held them hostage at Namu village, Qua’an Pan local government area of the Plateau State.
The irate youths blocked the only thoroughfare leading to Lafia and Jos, taking the people hostage for hours.
The Senator was in Namu to commission her project, the only community ICT Centre/public e-library, to give students access to online registration of examination and meet other educational needs.
Dadu’ut and others, including officials of the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) state government officials, the traditional institution which had the Long Goemai, Long Kwo, the Head of Namu town, and other traditional rulers were on their way home after the event when they ran into the multiple roadblocks mounted by the youths.
While some vehicles turned back, those of the Senator and the journalists were blocked from turning.
Some journalists were rough-handled as they tried to escape.
The journalists’ vehicle and the pilot vehicle in her entourage were damaged, but the Senator who was taken hostage for hours by the youths was rescued and whisked away from the scene by security personnel.
Sources, however, disclosed that trouble started at the time the Senator’s event was taking place.
Some security personnel stormed the community to pick up some youths over a yet-to-be disclosed issue and this reportedly enraged youths.
They complained that it had been the trend, and as their Senator was around the locality, they insisted she ensure that the arrested youths are released from detention before she could leave.
Recall that the area is facing a serious security threat as kidnapping takes place almost every other day.