Taraba: Tension in Jalingo over spate of kidnapping

Residents of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, have been living in fear over spate of kidnapping in the Mayo-Dassa area of the town as 14 people have been kidnapped within the last eight days around Mayo-Dassa Primary school, Gulum and air street, both within the Mayo-Dassa area of Jalingo.

Our Correspondent gathered that the kidnapped victims are mostly businessmen and successful farmers, but most prominent among them is a major distributor of an international breweries company in the state.

A house owner, Mr Akuwe Habu, told Tribune Online that two of his tenants who are businessmen have relocated to other areas where they believe is safer within the town despite renewing their rent a few months ago.

“Two of my tenants who renewed their rent not up to four months, have packed to another area within Jalingo following the waves of kidnapping here in Mayo-Dassa.

“Just within the last eight days, 14 people have been kidnapped and no contact has been established with their families for ransom negotiation. Those kidnapped so far are businessmen and successful farmers.

“As soon as it is 7pm, the Mayo-Dassa Primary school, air street, and Gulum areas become a (No Go ), areas and the situation has created a lot of fear even in those living around the market side.

“90 percent of well-to-do individuals are no longer sleeping in their houses. They only come around in the daytime and disappear as soon as it is 5pm in fear of being kidnapped,” he said.  

A businessman who identifies himself as Chris, disclosed that he has moved his wife and three kids to Yola, Adamawa State where his elder sister and husband are, adding that he has been staying with his secondary school mate whom they both schooled in Jos, Plateau State.

“I have moved my wife and three kids to Yola in Adamawa state where they are now with my elder sister and her husband. For me, I am now staying with one of my secondary schoolmates whom we schooled in Jos, Plateau State.

“The situation in Mayo-Dassa is scary and one has to steer clear of the area. Anyone who is believed can have up to two million in his bank account, the person automatically is a target,” he said.

However, DSP Usman Abdulahi, the Taraba State Police public relations officer did not respond to calls put to his mobile phone to get the Command’s efforts toward tackling the situation in the area and Jalingo l, the state capital. 

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