Kuteb community laments over lingering attack, effects on life, economy

 

Youths from the Kuteb ethnic stock in Taraba State, North Eastern Nigeria, have cried out that they are under siege, due to persistent attack on their communities by bandits in Ussa, Takum local government areas  and Yangtu special development area of the State.

The youths under the aegis of Concerned Kuteb Youths in Diaspora, Monday said they could no longer engage in farming activities which they said is their main source of livelihood. 

This outcry followed the latest attack by suspected bandits on motorcycle Saturday noon, who reportedly killed 3 in Jauro Manu village and abducted some others in Gassol local government area of Taraba state. 

It was gathered that the bandits raided shops and took away money and other valuables from traders at the Jauro Manu market. 

 

A daughter to one of the eyewitness said her father is currently receiving treatment after sustaining injury while running for his life. 

According to her, “they came on motorbikes and started shooting. 

 

“Saturday was Jauro Manu market and suddenly some people on bike carrying guns entered the market and started shooting. 

“Some people were killed while others sustained injuries.”

The state police Command has also confirmed the attack. Acting spokesperson of the Command, DSP  Kwache Gambo said the police was on the trail of the attackers. 

However, spokesman of the Kuteb youth group, Caleb Ure, in a statement on the plight of their kinsmen in Ussa, Takum and Yangtu development area in Taraba South, urged government to live up to its responsibility. 

“The Taraba State Government, Federal Government and other stakeholders should condemn this attack; then move beyond rhetorics; take a decisive step to stop this ethnic cleansing against the Kuteb race in Kwararafa Kingdom and restore Peace.

“These heinous attacks create deplorable state of security that is threatening every aspect of life of our people, forcing over 120,000 persons to abandon their homes to seek refuge in Takum and Lissam towns.

“The attacks are still ongoing, the attackers wielding sophisticated weapons and villages are left in ruins and rubbles. 

“Daily, lives are lost, women and children wail and men bury the dead.

“We want to state clearly that if this situation is not addressed expediently, the future of our people is under serious threat. 

“As we speak, we can no longer engage in farming which is our primary economic activity.  

“We are rather going backwards economically because of the incessant attacks, killings and destructions”, Ure lamented.