Again Fulani herdsmen kill 44 in Taraba

Taraba Government on Tuesday confirmed the death of 44 persons in the series of attacks on villages in Gassaka and Bali Local Government Areas of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Taraba state police commissioner, Mr. Shaba Alkali and Senior Personal Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Sylvanus Giwa confirmed the development separately to journalists in Jalingo.

Giwa in a statement said 20 persons were killed in Angai village, nine killed in Maisuma, eight in Dorei and seven in Fali villages all in Gashaka local government by the attackers.

The statement explained that problem started when the armed herdsmen attempted to rape a lady in the community and were met with resistance by the neighbours.

According to the statement, the armed herdsmen, who were angered by the community’s resistance, unleashed terror on the people in the communities in the area killing 44 persons with over 100 displaced and many others missing.

“The government is concerned that the current killings will be a major setback to Governor Darius Ishaku’s efforts to resettle the internally displaced persons in the state.

“Governor Ishaku has therefore vowed to eliminate any form of insurgency by evil agents under any guise across the state,” part of the statement read.

The displaced women and children are said to be taking refuge in Mayo-Selbe, Kungana and Garbabi communities.

Also confirming the killings, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Shaba Alkali said the Inspector General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase had approved deployment of 60 Mobil police men from Yola to join the security agents on ground to contend the situation.

Alkali paraded Ardo Ayuba who was arrested in connection with the attacks, saying efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing culprits for prosecution.

The CP, however said the command had so far discovered only 15 dead bodies from the attacked communities.