Rival groups exchange accusations as 3 communities are attacked in Taraba state

macfranc007 January 07, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Onyirioha Nnamdi

- Reports say that about three communities in Taraba state were attacked recently

- There are are claims among Taraba state residents that the attack was orchestrated by a Bachama ethnic group

- The Bachama ethnic group members denies any involvement in the attack

From Taraba state police report, not less than three communities were on Friday, December 5, attacked in Lau local government area of Taraba state by some assailants.

The attack forced residents of Katibu, Donada, Mayo-Lope and Abbare border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states to flee to surrounding towns immediately a police squard deployed to the area, Premium Times reports.

The state chairman of Miyetti Allah in Taraba, Sahabi Tukur, said the attack, which was perpetuated by militias of the Bachama ethnic group, was targeted at Fulani residents.

Tukur said: “The Bachama militias have attacked Bujum, Didango, Donada, Katibu and two other Fulani settlements, and they they killed over 13 with many injured, they were assisted by Yandamawa.”

“Over 400 cows were rustled by these marauding militias.

“We want the government to take this matter seriously and investigate.Why should Bachama leave their state, Adamawa and attack us; we are living peacefully here.

"Already some corpses and injured were taken to Jalingo the state capital for treatment and burials.’"

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Accoding to a resident of Katibu, Bello Manu, seven people were killed. The resident said: “They killed at least seven people instantly including my uncle who is also the (Dagaci), village head Jauro Buba, some were burnt to ashes.’’

But a leader of the Bachama ethnic group, Euphraimu Turaki, denied the allegation.

Euphraimu noted:“This is big lie, they (Fulani) first attacked us before turning back to Taraba. Some communities in Taraba were not also spared by the marauding Fulani; they also burned villages and killed people — not Bachama at all!”

“Earlier Friday,over 300 herdsmen launched the attack on our community in Bwam during which five people were killed. So, why are they now crying wolf!

"Let government be serious if not more lives will be lost.’’

NAIJ.com reported earlier that Taraba state police command on Friday, January 5, confirmed the death of its intelligence officer, Altam Enoch Dwachem, who died in the convoy accident of Governor Darius Ishaku on Thursday, January 4.

The command’s public relations officer, David Misal, on Thursday, January 4, confirmed the accident, but denied knowledge of any casualty.

Misal said: "All I can tell you is that a car on the governor’s convoy this evening had an accident, but I am not aware of any death. We have channels of communication and as soon as I have the details, I will get back to you.''

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