Musa Affos (Rhapsodi) & Justin Tyopuusu

Tragedy struck on Tuesday as unknown gunmen attacked a Mobile Police checkpoint in Chanchanji a suburb of Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, killing a police officer and injuring four others including the son Gara Chachanji.


According to community sources at Chachanji, they revealed that the gunmen stormed the village in the early hours of Wednesday, and rode on motorcycles, and opened fire on the police officers staying at the checkpoint, killing an officer, and injuring four passersby.


Sources added that the gunmen after killing the officer allegedly made away with the rifle of the slain officer

Mr. Terna Ahua, a resident of Chanchanji, told our correspondent on the phone that the gunmen who came from the Benue side of the Taraba/Benue border opened fire at a checkpoint mounted by the police, killing one of the officers on duty.

“The gunmen rode on three motorcycles and passed at a high speed heading towards the bridge about 6:50 am.

“After a while, we heard gunshots, but because of the insecurity around here, we did not rush to the area. It was after 30 minutes that we went out only to discover that a police officer was killed in the attack.

“Four other persons including the son of the Gara of Chanchanji were injured in the attack,” he said.
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Ahua also said the Jukun youths suspecting the gunmen might be Tiv people, launched a reprisal on people of the ethnic group in the area, burning two motorcycles and injuring several others who were on their way to Peva market, which was held every Wednesday.

ASP. Reform Leha, the spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command confirmed the attack to our correspondent on the telephone.


Recall that, Rhapsodi Affos Blog RAB, had reported that 26 youths were abducted along Chanchji road a few weeks ago and were subsequently reduced by combined traffic police and soldiers.