Tragedy struck as three policemen and a woman were killed in a fresh clash between Ichen and Ndaka communities in Kurmi local government area of Taraba State.


The killings took place despite the setting up of a commission of inquiry into the crisis between the two communities by Governor Darius Ishaku two weeks ago.


The youth leader of Bissaula, Mr Jibrin Garba, in a statement he sent to journalists yesterday in Jalingo, the state capital, alleged that the Ndaka militiamen who carried out the attack killed an elderly woman and destroyed property worth millions of naira.


Garba said the people of Ichen in Bissaula town came under a series of unprovoked and premeditated attacks by Ndaka militia despite the peace efforts of the state government and stakeholders.


“As a peace-loving and law-abiding people, we welcomed the Commission of Inquiry set up by the Governor, with the hope that peace would be restored and we encourage our people who were displaced to return to Bissaula.


“Unfortunately, Ndaka militia struck again on March 16, and killed three mobile policemen who were deployed to restore normalcy and their service rifles were taken away.


“We condemn these attacks and killing of the three policemen and our people by Ndaka militia and call on the government to investigate the attacks and ensure that the perpetrators and their accomplices are apprehended and the service rifles of the slain policemen recovered.”


The Ichen youth leader expressed the hope that the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry by Governor Darius Ishaku will unravel the cause of the crisis and proffer a lasting solution.


The police public relations officer, DSP Usman Abdullahi, confirmed the killing of the policemen, saying they were overpowered by unidentified militiamen in Bissaula.