By John Mkom JALINGO—Taraba State police
command has paraded the suspected mastermind of
the recent killings orchestrated by unknown gunmen
at Garbabi ward of Gashaka Local Government Area
of Taraba State. Before the parade of the suspect,
identified as Ardo Ayuba, at the police command, the
Commissioner of Police, Shaba Arkali, said the plan
was hatched in the house of the suspect. He said the
suspect was arrested by the policemen drafted to the
area to stop the killings. Although the police
commissioner, while briefing journalists in his office
at the police headquarters, said only 15 persons were
killed by the gunmen, Governor Darius Ishaku said
over 44 people were killed in the attack. The governor
also said five persons were injured, while six others
were missing at the time of the report, with over 100
displaced, including women and children. In a press
statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to
Governor Isahaku on Media and Publicity, Sylvanus
Giwa, said the attack started on Sunday with a case of
rape by the armed bandits, which the lady resisted,
adding that this led to unleashing of mayhem on the
entire villages of Gashaka and some part of Bali local
government area. Other places affected by the crisis
included Maisuma, where nine people were killed;
and Fali village where seven persons were also killed.

He said the 100 displaced persons were taking refuge
at Mayo-Selbe, Kungana and Garbabi villages in
Gashaka local government area. However, the
commissioner of police told journalists that the
Police had deployed 60 mobile police men from Yola
to take over the situation. He urged the people to
remain calm, adding that investigation was ongoing
to ensure that the perpetrators of the act were
brought to book.