The Plateau State Correspondent of THE PUNCH Newspapers, Friday Olokor, and two other persons he offered a drive on Saturday escaped attack by assailants while on their way to Abuja to celebrate the Sallah with their Muslim friends.

The sad tale was said to have created apprehension and panic among the victims, other commuters and the human rights community in Jos and Abuja.

The incident took place at about 11:50 a.m. on Agitata – Gunduma Road along Keffi – Kaduna Expressway, Nasarawa State, just after a big company under construction. The hoodlums, who had been desperate to strike at their helpless victims, hauled big stones on the rear glass of the car at a spot where there were big potholes and shattered them to pieces.

Those with Mr. Olokor in the vehicle were Adesokan Fijabi, an Ibadan, Oyo State-born businessman and contractor who was traveling to Akure, and Samuel Dul Shetur, Lantang, Plateau State-born staff of a popular hotel in Gwarimpa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Mr. Olokor, a journalist and civil rights activist, said although the mission of the attackers was evil, he was not sure if it was for instant robbery or abduction for ransom.

He said: “Thank you, Jesus. It is not us but God. It’s not that I was smart. It was divine escape from vicious Fulani robbers. We’re not safe in this country. Should I stop driving and be using public transport or buy a smaller car. I understand they target big cars. My car is not the type used by Senators and politicians.

“But it is also not a very cheap car, considering the weak strength of the Naira. If their mission was abduction for a ransom, who would have paid the money? To you Lord, I give the thanks and glory.”

Continuing, Olokor further said: “The voice of God told me, ‘Na dem, don’t stop’ and so I didn’t stop; I was traveling from Jos to Abuja for the Sallah. When we eventually stopped in a safer place in the community, we saw some young men and women with long sticks, the type used for whipping recalcitrant cows. We told them of our encounter with the deadly beats.

“They asked us where the incident took place and we told them. One of the young men shook his head but showed no empathy. Instead, he was smiling. Then, we suspected that we may be in their den and I zoomed off to the next police checkpoint.

“There, some good police officers from MOPOL 38 Akwanga on Highway Patrol informed us that two of the armed robbers terrorising commuters in the area were caught two days ago, while their leader escaped.

“The police officers said robbery on the road does not know time: It could be morning, afternoon, evening or night. They alleged that the perpetrators are Fulani boys from Bauchi. When I told them that I went to some Fulani boys and narrated my encounter, one of the officers said, ‘that is their den. Their feeling could be that they have missed target’.

“ ‘You’re a bad market for them. Yes, na dem. All the robbery on this road are carried out by the Fulani Boys. Please go to church tomorrow and give thanks to God’.”

The officers commended the DPO in Agitata Police Division, saying: “He doesn’t rest because of the activities of these gangsters.”

Update news