From Ben Adaji, Jalingo
Over 20 persons were reportedly killed, while thousands were displaced following renewed attacks by suspected armed herders in Munga Lelau community in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The latest assault, which occurred on Friday, left over seven communities in Munga Lelau and Magami completely burnt down.
Our correspondent reports that before the military and the police who were keeping vigil in Bandawa, a neighbouring village which suffered similar attacks by the armed herders few days ago arrived Munga villages, over 20 bodies were recorded while several others sustained gunshot injuries.
An indigene of Munga, who lost his younger brother and brother-in-law in the attack, recounted that the assailants stormed the villages on motorcycles and killed residents without resistance.
He said his brother was caught in the crossfire while returning from the farm, adding that the attack was well coordinated and took the villagers unaware.
According to the source, bodies of those killed during Friday’s attacks were given mass burial on Saturday under the protection of the military and police deployed to the area.
Residents have since abandoned their homes for fear of further attacks, while those with serious gun injuries were evacuated to the nearest hospitals in the area.
The state police command on Saturday confirmed the incident in a text sent to journalists by its spokesperson, James Lashen.
The spokesman did not give the exact number of the people killed, but said the attacks occurred around 2:30pm on Friday.
The statement reads in part: “Information at my disposal reveals that yesterday, Isah Ishaku, 15, of Munga Dosso, was attacked and macheted at his farm by an unidentified individual who arrived on a motorcycle.
“Later, around 14:30hrs, some herders, mobilised on motorcycles, attacked Magami and Munga Lelau villages, set several houses ablaze and killed three persons.
“A combined team of conventional police and PMF personnel, led by the DPO, visited the scene. The team came under attack by the marauders but repelled them, forcing the assailants to flee into the bush, abandoning one motorcycle in the process.
“Victims were evacuated to a primary healthcare centre, where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.”
Governor Agbu Kefas also condemned the attack in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications, Emmanuel Bello.
He confirmed that many people were killed in the violence.
The statement reads: “Taraba State governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, has condemned in the strongest terms, the violence in Karim Lamido communities, where scores of people reportedly lost their lives and property.
“Describing the carnage as horrendous and unacceptable, Kefas said such acts only set the state back instead of advancing its progress.
“Recent reports indicate that in a fresh attack, many lives were lost in Munga Lelau community.”
The governor also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and reiterated his administration’s commitment to secure the state from external aggression and other threats.
