Suspected herdsmen kill 6 villagers in Taraba

Suspected herdsmen have attacked a farming community which has resulted to the death of at least six villagers, with many injured.

On Sunday, the herdsmen carried out a deadly attack on the villages of Mararaban Azagwa and Alele, both located in the Maihula district of the Bali Local Government Area, targeting residents and causing devastation.

On Monday, a local resident, Isah Abdul, shared with our correspondent that the trouble began when a man, who had been drinking and taking drugs at the Maihula market, was found dead on his way home.

“It is an unfortunate development. The relatives of the deceased, who later recovered his corpse, accused the Tiv villagers where the man died of being responsible for the death of their brother.

“There was nothing actually to point to the fact that the man was killed. He might have probably died from complications arising from the alcohol and the drugs he took.

“But his relatives, who suspected that he was killed by the Tiv villagers, mobilised and started attacking and killing people,” Abdul said.

The chairman, Taraba State Tiv Traditional Council, Zaki David Gbaa, who briefed journalists in Bali on the development, said six people were killed and four others are in critical conditions in the hospital.

Gbaa identified those killed to include; Aondohemba Salemkaan, Tersuugh Dondo, Terkuma Mbatim, Kumaga Ujam Asaaga Nev and Tersoo Memga.

The Tiv leader, who condemned the attack, however, commended the security agencies for their quick intervention to calm the situation.

He was optimistic that the perpetrators would be apprehended by security forces and brought to justice, given that they are residents of the same community and can be readily identified.

DSP Gambo Kwache, the state Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the attack in a telephone interview, however said only two corpses were recovered by the police

Gambo stated that no arrest has been made so far, but security operatives were combing the area in search of the attackers.