21 Communities Sacked As Herdsmen Attack Persists In Taraba

No fewer than 21 Communities in Taraba state have been reportedly sacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Takum local government areas of Taraba state.

However, Hon Garba Ajiya, Taraba state house of assembly member representing Takum l constituency, confirmed to our correspondent that no life was lost in the separate attacks.

“Yes, they attacked and burnt houses in Manya and my village Sabon-Gida Kpashimbe, but no life was lost. I was told they have proceeded to Kwesati in the neighbouring Ussa Local Government Area.

“At present 21 villages in my constituency have been sacked by the Fulani attackers who have now occupied the communities and are feeding on people’s farms.

“They have converted some of the houses that were not burnt to their houses where they are staying and committing these atrocities.

“I want to call on the government to provide immediate relief assistance to the IDPs to address the humanitarian situation in areas under attack and take steps to end the killings,” he appealed.

Also, local residents on Sunday reported that scores of people were missing and hundreds have fled across River Donga to Nyivu in Donga Local Government area after suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked Manya and Sabongida Kpasimbe communities in the Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.

A resident of Manya who fled to Takum town, Mr. Tanko Tsokwa told our correspondent on the phone that the attackers in their numbers invaded the community and started shooting around 5:30 am.

According to him, “they came in large numbers in the company of cows and started shooting sporadically. Luckily enough, we were able to escape through the river and cross over to Nyivu.

“I can’t confirm any casualty, but many people especially women and children are missing,” he said.

When contacted, acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP. Gambo Kwache said the command has deployed more personnel to the troubled area to maintain peace.

“We have made a deployment to the area and our men are on the trail of the attackers,” she confirmed.

Our correspondent reports that communities in Ussa and Takum mostly inhabited by the Kuteb ethnic group have come under sustained and coordinated attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen, leaving over 60 people killed and 120, 000 people displaced within the last few months.