Kwashe said the incident happened at about 10 p.m. on Thursday, adding that the assailants invaded his palace and shot him dead.

The Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the assassination of the 48-year-old traditional ruler of Sansani chiefdom in the Gassol local government area of the state, Alhaji Abdulmutalib Jankada.

The Command''s spokesperson DSP Kwache Bajabu Gambo, who confirmed the killing of the traditional ruler to SaharaReporters on Friday, said the Command had launched a manhunt for the killers.

Kwashe said the incident happened at about 10 p.m. on Thursday, adding that the assailants invaded his palace and shot him dead.

She said: "On 18/4/2024 at about 2200hours, unidentified gunmen invaded the house of the 3rd class monarch of Sansani chiefdom in Gassol local government area, one Mr Abdulmudalib Nuhu Jankada, 48 years old, Jenjo by tribe and shot him at the spot.

"On receipt of the report, detectives attached to Gassol division visited the scene, one empty shell of AK47 was recovered.

"Efforts on top gear to arrest the perpetrators," she added.

Meanwhile, reports indicated that the assailants rode into town on motorcycles and sneaked into the palace to eliminate their target.

After killing the traditional ruler, the assailants took away his mobile phones.

The late chief was abducted along Jalingo-Wukari Road two years ago and a ransom was paid before his release.

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