At least six people were reportedly killed and many others injured in an attack on a farming community by terrorists.
The attack took place on Sunday, targeting the villages of Mararaban Azagwa and Alele, both located in the Maihula area of Bali Local Government Area.
According to Isah Abdul, a resident of the area, trouble began when a man, who was drunk and high on drugs he had taken at Maihula Market, was found dead on his way home. Abdul shared this information with our correspondent on Monday.
“It is an unfortunate development. The relatives of the deceased, who later recovered his corpse, accused the Tiv villagers where the man died of being responsible for the death of their brother.
“There was nothing actually to point to the fact that the man was killed. He might have probably died from complications arising from the alcohol and the drugs he took.
“But his relatives, who suspected that he was killed by the Tiv villagers, mobilised and started attacking and killing people,” Abdul said.
Zaki David Gbaa, Chairman of the Taraba State Tiv Traditional Council, briefed journalists in Bali on the recent attack, revealing that six people were killed and four others are in critical condition in the hospital.
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Gbaa identified the deceased as Aondohemba Salemkaan, Tersuugh Dondo, Terkuma Mbatim, Kumaga Ujam, Asaaga Nev, and Tersoo Memga.
While condemning the attack, Gbaa commended the swift intervention of security agencies in calming the situation. He expressed confidence that the attackers, who are all residents of the community and easily identifiable, would be arrested and prosecuted by security forces.
State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Gambo Kwache confirmed the attack in a telephone interview, but reported that only two corpses had been recovered by the police.
He added that no arrests have been made yet, but security operatives are actively searching the area for the attackers.
