Many feared dead as suspected herdsmen sack Taraba communities

There was fear and pandemonium in some communities in Taraba state as clash between herders and farmers persist leading to separate attacks which have led to several deaths and destruction of property in both Bali and Gassol councils.

As at the time of filing this report, no fewer than twelve dead bodies were said to have been recovered from the scenes of the two separate attacks.

The separate attacks, which occurred in Sabon-Gida village of Gassol Council and Pangari village of Bali, were said to have been necessitated by the herders.

WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that that the herders stormed the communities at night when the residents were deep asleep.

Some persons who claimed to have narrowly escaped the scenes, also told our correspondent that apart from the killings and injuries inflicted on residents of the communities, massive destructions of valuables also took place.

According to a report by DAILY POST, leader of one of the affected communities, confirmed that so far they have recovered twelve dead bodies in a nearby bush in Sabon-Gida village of Gassol council.

While two persons were as well confirmed to have been killed by the suspected herdsmen in Pangari community of Bali council, several other persons were as well said to have been injured in the said Bali council.

Confirming the incident which he said had also led to massive displacements of the people, the chairman of the Tiv Cultural and Social Association, Bali chapter, Matthew Baki, told our correspondent that two persons were killed in Bali “with several others badly injured.”

He said the attacked in Bali community which led to the killing of two persons, occurred at about 2a.m., adding that the “police came in this morning to evacuate the corpse and took those injured to Bali General hospital.”

Also confirming the separate attacks, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), David Misal, said efforts to track down at the perpetrators were on top gear.

Various persons from the crisis communities who spoke with newsmen, felt sad that the leadership of the state has not deemed it fit to put in place permanent measures that would bring the killings to an end.

The leadership of the state chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), accused Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of alleged refusal to wade into the ongoing killings.