Two Killed, Houses Razed as Bandits Attack Taraba Community

 

Two people were killed and several others injured as bandits suspected to be herdsmen attacked Tudiri community on the outskirts of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital last Sunday night.

Several houses were equally razed by the bandits just as several vehicles and tricycles were vandalised by irate youths in protest of the attack.

But the state police command however said nobody was killed in the attack despite journalists having pictures of those burnt to death in their houses by the attackers.

While the attack raged, Kona youths, who were predominant residents of Tudiri, blocked and set up bonfires on the Jalingo-Yola road at Nukkai and Kasuwan Bera areas and attacked several unsuspecting motorists in protests of the attack on their community.

In a statement issued by the state police command and signed by the Police Public Relations Office (PPRO), David Misal, the command stated that several shops were looted by the youths.

It took the intervention of a combined team of soldiers and mobile policemen to dismantle the bonfires and bring the situation under control even as gunshots continued to rent the air till midnight thereby causing serious apprehension among residents of Jalingo.

According to the police, "At about 1800hrs, heavily armed suspected herdsmen on motorcycles invaded Tudiri village through Jauro Yinu ward, Ardo Kola Local Government Area and set houses ablaze.

"Three vehicles, two motorcycles and three tricycles were burnt, but with the timely intervention of security operatives, the situation was brought under control.

"No death was recorded and the situation is closely being monitored by the security agencies in a bid to forestall any further breakdown of law and order."

While normalcy is gradually returning to the state capital, some residents in the affected areas were seen moving their valuables to other areas.

Meanwhile, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the state governor, Bala Dan Abu, allayed fears of the residents of the town of further attacks, saying the state government has mobilised and reinforced security in the town.

Abu, who briefed journalists in a telephone interview, urged the people of the state to go about their normal businesses and be rest assured of the government's commitment to their security.