Musa Affos (Rhapsodi), Jalingo

Tragedy struck in Taraba on Thursday as gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias reportedly killed 12 people in separate attacks on Taraba LG.

The incident we gathered happened on Thursday in Gassol and Bali local government areas of Taraba. Where the herdsmen struck and killed two people, while 11 others injured on the same Thursday night in Pangari community of Bali Local Government Area of the state.

We further gathered from Mr. Orkurga Terkimbi, a community leader, that 12 bodies were recovered around the bushes of Ijever near Sabon-Gida, a suburb of Gassol Local Government Area.

According to Terkimbi, three persons who sustained injuries in the attack in Gassol are receiving treatment in a private hospital in Sabon-Gida, while the 11 that sustained injuries in the attack in Pangari are receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Bali, while others are sheltered at NKST Church, Mayo-Dassa and NKST Church, Kufai, among other locations. 

Some of the fleeing residents said the attackers sacked Pangari, Sansani communities in Bali, and Number, Ijever and Sindelde.

Mr. Matthew Baki, Chairman of Tiv Cultural and Social Association, Bali Local Government chapter, told journalists that two people were killed on Thursday night and 11 others wounded.

“The suspected herdsmen attacked Pangari at about 2:00 a.m. and killed two people while 11 others were wounded.

“This morning, the police in Bali came and evacuated the corpse and took the injured to General Hospital, Bali.

“Many people are fleeing the area now. The number of people leaving the area has overwhelmed motorists. Some women and children are fleeing by foot and heading towards the Jalingo and Mutum Biyu axes,” he said.

In the same development, a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. George Dogo, confirmed that his church in the Mutum Biyu headquarters of Gassol LG is housing a multitude of displaced villagers who fled their towns as a result of the attack.

“The escalation of the attacks is worrisome. From the reports I am getting, the people are being attacked without any form of provocation.

“I don’t really know what is going on, but I want to appeal to relevant authorities to halt the escalation of the attacks and killings,” he said.

The Public Relations Officer of the state police command, DSP. David Misal also confirmed the attacks and assured that the police are on top of the security.