Suspected Herdsmen Kill Six Villagers In Taraba Community

Six people have died in an attack by suspected herders on communities in Maihula ward, a rural community in Taraba State’s Bali Local Government Area.

On Sunday, June 16, 2024, an attack took place in the villages of Mararaban Azagwa and Alele, injuring a number of other individuals.

Isah Abdul, a local resident, told Punch on Monday that the turmoil began when a guy was found dead on his way home from Maihula market, heavily intoxicated and high on drugs.

“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,” Abdul said.

“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.”

Six individuals were slain, according to Taraba State Tiv Traditional Council chairman Zaki David Gbaa, who briefed reporters in Bali on the events.

Four more persons are hospitalised in critical condition. Aondohemba Salemkaan, Tersuugh Dondo, Terkuma Mbatim, Kumaga Ujam Asaaga Nev, and Tersoo Memga were among the people identified by Gbaa as having died.

Despite denouncing the attack, the Tiv leader applauded the security services for acting quickly to defuse the situation.

Given that all of the attackers were locals and immediately identifiable, he expressed confidence that they would be apprehended by security services and charged with crimes.

Only two corpses were found by the police, according to DSP Gambo Kwache, a spokesperson for the State Police Command who confirmed the incident over the phone.

Although no one has been taken into custody yet, according to Gambo, security personnel are scouring the neighbourhood in an effort to find the attackers.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli