JOS — Gunmen have shot dead an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and kidnapped a businessman in Pushit community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack happened at about 9.30pm on Monday. The businessman, who trades in fuel, cement and fertiliser, was taken from the community. The NSCDC officer, a Deputy Superintendent who was not in uniform, was shot as he rode his motorcycle to buy a recharge card.

A resident, Lawrence Tabitha, said the headlight of the officer's motorcycle lit up the kidnappers as they were leaving, and they may have believed he had come to stop them. He appealed to security agencies and the state government to secure Pushit District and rescue the businessman, and listed earlier attacks in Vodni, Sabon Gari and Nchiya.

The Plateau NSCDC spokesperson, ASP AR Rimvyok, confirmed the incident.