The gunmen who abduced the paramount ruler of Gindiri, Charls Mato Dakat, from his palace in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State came in large numbers.
The military in Jos, the state capital, confirmed the early Sunday incident.
A resident of the community, Helen Bulus, said: “The incident occured between 1am and 2am.
“The gunmen came in large numbers to his palace.
“He was in the palace alone because the wife had travelled to Jos and the children were also not around.
“All through the wee hours, there was heavy shooting by the bandits in his palace, and people in the community were running in different directions.
“So, this morning at daybreak, we went to the palace only to discover that the gunmen have taken the traditional ruler away.”
The lawmaker representing Mangu South in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Bala Fwangje, also confirmed the incident.
He said security operatives had been deployed to the community and were combing the bushes in search of the kidnapped traditional ruler.
He said: “The incident is rather unfortunate.
“I just confirmed the kidnap incident with some of the security men.
“I also spoke with the paramount ruler, Mishkaham Mwaghavul of Mwaghavul nation who also confirmed to me what happened.
“Right now, the security men are in the bush trying to rescue the kidnapped traditional ruler.”
The Military Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven in Jos, Major Ishaku Takwa, said troops were on the abductors’ trail.
Takwa said: “Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN at Gyambus have been mobilised to the area and are on trail of the kidnappers.”