Police foil attack on a village in Taraba, arrest 9 suspected Fulani militia

The police in Taraba yesterday said they have foiled a deadly attack by suspected armed Fulani militia who were attempting to attack Simta village in Takum local government area of the state.

Commissioner of police Taraba state, Mr. Shaba Alkali while parading the suspects before newsmen in Jalingo said the police acting on a tip off, arrested a group of 9 armed Fulani militia with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

Shaba explained that on receipt of information from one Danaldi Samari that some armed Fulani militia were attempting to attack Simta village in Takum local government, policemen were drafted to the area and the suspects were arrested.

“On interrogation, the suspects claimed to be members of the vigilante group from Bali sent by their chairman to recover stolen cows from one Alhaji Bello.

“Our experience over the years have shown that some members of the vigilante group are usually criminals hiding in the vigilante uniform.

“Vigilante members don’t have powers on their own to work independent of the police. I want to warn them desist from working without police supervision and carrying prohibited firearms without license,” he queried.

The commissioner also paraded a 22-year-old Yahaya Musa with AK47 riffle, Suleiman Musa with 37 rounds of ammunition and Hassan Umaru 19 years with AK47 riffle and 37 round of life ammunition, one native vest charm and knife.

The police said the cases were still undergoing investigation and the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed.