Gunmen attack returning IDPs, kill scores in Taraba

Gunmen suspected to be Jukun militia attacked and killed two returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ikyenum, Wukari local government area of Taraba state on Thursday.

Tribune Online reported that Wukari is the home local government of Governor Agbu Kefas. However, the killings and continued attacks on IDPs in the area have been on the rise in recent times.

Also, the IDPs had raised an alarm last week about threats to their lives by suspected Jukun militia and appealed to Governor Kefas for security to avert the situation.

The President-General of the Tiv Culture and Social Association Taraba state, Chief James Baka, told journalists on the phone that four of the killers initially approached the IDPs, asking them to vacate their ancestral homes. They later returned in greater numbers a few minutes later and carried out the killings.

According to the state Tiv leader, some survivors narrated that the attackers came in large numbers and started shooting anyone in sight.

“Initially, four of them asked the returning IDPs to leave their ancestral homes. They left within five minutes and reappeared in larger numbers, shooting anyone in sight.

“Two of the IDPs were killed on the spot, while many others are still receiving treatment for gunshot wounds.

“Terungwa Aondoyima, Mseerdoom Haanongon, Iorlaha Tahwan, and Sesugh Yanor were shot in the attack.

“The IDPs identified some known Jukun militia among the attackers, including Manasseh Yohana (Don’t Worry), Saidu Angyu, Sam Adimani, Sunday Maurice, Jonah Agaba, Tunji, Samson Danjuma, Ibrahim Bababukin, and Happy Siri.

“The location of the attack is less than 200 meters away from a military checkpoint,” Chief Baka narrated.

The Taraba state police command, through the PPRO, Usman Abdullahi, also confirmed the attack.