Taraba: Militia Herdsmen Kill 25 In Fresh Attack As IGP Visits

By Augustine Osayande

Suspected herdsmen on Wednesday evening invaded Jandeikyula village in Wukari local government area of the state, killing at least 25 people. Confirming the killings Chairman of Wukari Local Government Area Hon. Daniel Adi said several people were killed in the attack.  “Many people were killed in the attack, but I don’t have the casualty figure now. I am on my way to the village now and will give details of the casualty figure and the wounded when I am back from the village” Adi said.

Also confirming the report Special Adviser to Governor Darius Ishaku on Students’ Affairs, Engr. Samson Tor-Musa said despite efforts by the state Governor Darius Ishaku in ensuring peaceful coexistence in the state some people are bent on frustrating his efforts.  He called for the reinforcement of security in the area.

A former Special Adviser to late Governor Danbaba Suntai, Hon.  Orbee Uchiv told journalists that the armed Fulani militia invaded the village at about 6pm and opened fire on the innocent villagers.

Uchiv said the number of deaths would have been more if not for the intervention of soldiers on patrol around the area who were coming from Gbeji a neighbouring town in Benue state where four people killed on Tuesday.

An eyewitness who narrowly escaped death in the attack, Mr. Victor Iortim told journalists that the attackers launched attack on the village killing anybody in sight and burning houses.

“They were numbering close to 200. I went to a neighbouring village and I was on my way back to Jandeikyula when I sighted them.

“I quickly hide in the bush and counted close 200 if not more.  They were well armed with sophisticated weapons. There was no way I could called home because there was no network on my phone where I hide” Iortim said.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state ASP David Missal also confirmed the attack but said details were still sketchy.

The attack came barley 48 hours after the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris commissioned a mobile police base in Takum and confirmed reinforcement of three additional units of police personnel to Taraba to curb attacks in the state.  The IGP who is on a three days official visit to Taraba is still in the state,  even as the Army Operation Ayem Akpatuma has been extended in Taraba.