Gunmen attacks claim 60, displaces 120,000 in Taraba communities
From Godwin Agia, Jalingo
No fewer than 60 lives were lost and 120, 000 residents displaced in two months of suspected herdsmen attacks on Ussa, Takum and Yangtu development areas of Taraba State.
Habila Timothy Anderifun, member Taraba State House of Assembly representing Ussa constituency, made this disclosure on Saturday, while briefing newsmen in his residence
in Jalingo.
in Jalingo.He alleged that from 5th to 12th July, no fewer than 30 people were murdered in the areas, aside six soldiers, including the commander of Ada Barracks Takum, by the suspected armed Fulani bandits.
“Just on thursday 22nd July 2022, Jenuwa Nyifiye village was attacked and no fewer than nine persons were killed,” the state legislator said almost tearfully, continuing, “On 18th July, 2022, Talatu Yaro was butchered at Kujwean by the suspected armed Fulani bandits and her remains packaged in polytene bags like bush meat.”
He went further: “On the same day Rimamsikwe Audu was shredded in pieces at Kujwean village, while Andenyangtso Adamu was butchered along Takum -Lisam road by the same armed Fulani bandits.”
Anderifun said: “The killings and mutilation of the bodies of the victims in Ussa constitutes crime against humanity and we urged the federal government to take urgent steps to end these senseless killings within 14 days, for it is the primary responsibility of government to protect the lives and property of her citizens anywhere in this country.”
He said: “It is imperative to state here that today, communities such as Kujwean, Asik, Ripenchin, kutuko, Kusansan and in fact, the entire Kwesati ward, Lissam II, Yangtu and Bika among other communities have been deserted,” adding, “Reports from these communities indicate that the deserted communities have been taken over by Fulani herdsmen who now graze freely on people’s farms and homes.”
He called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency and other aid organizations and spirited individuals to intervene in the provision of shelter, protection, water, food and non-food relief items to address the growing humanitarian needs of the displaced residents of the sacked communities.
