Skip to main content

Taraba villagers narrate ordeal under kidnappers’ siege




Villagers from Ali, Goggo Ibbi, and Tau, among others in Taraba state, who were under the siege of kidnappers, have narrated their ordeal, shortly after they were freed by a group of local hunters backed by the state government.

The villages under Ardo Kola local government area of the state were recently freed from the siege of kidnappers following a three-day battle between local hunters and armed bandits.

Daily Trust gathered that the bandits, before they were sacked, were the law to themselves and dictated to the local communities.
One of the villagers, who pleaded to be anonymous, said the bandits raped their wives and daughters as nobody dared to challenge them. He said the bandits unleashed terror in the area for several months, as nobody could curb their notorious acts.

“The bandits sleep with any woman including small girls and housewives taken by force by the bandits while husbands and parents watch helplessly,” the source said. It was further gathered that the bandits instilled fear in the minds of the communities and threatened to kill any person that report them to security agents.

“You  will see us going about our day-to-day work as if nothing terrible is happening but inside us, we live in fear and pains,” another member of the community said. In an interview with Daily Trust, he said most members of the community secretly relocated their wives and daughters out of the area because of the bandits’ activities. The source said many farmers that came into the area to farm were either abducted and released on ransom or killed by the bandits. “We know some of the bandits and many of them are members of the community while there are other bandits that came to the area from far away,” the source said. He said when the hunters came and chased the bandits out of the area, every member of the community was happy as normal businesses resumed. “We are now moving freely; we go to the farms and markets without being harass or abducted,” he said. Meanwhile, reports from the area revealed that more bandits and their informants have been arrested by the vigilantes and hunters from within and outside the community.
DAILY TRUST

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taraba Governor Approves Cabinet Reshuffle, Redeploys Four Commissioners

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has approved the immediate redeployment of four Commissioners serving in the State Executive Council as part of a cabinet reshuffle. The redeployment, contained in a press release dated August 26, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, Esq., affects four ministries. Under the new arrangement, Hon. Peter George moves from the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry to the Ministry of Water Management and Aquatic Affairs, while Hon. Daniel Ishaku is redeployed from Water Management and Aquatic Affairs to the Ministry of Waste Management and Resource Innovation. Also affected are Hon. Bernard Shonzen James Kassa, who moves from the Ministry of Waste Management and Resource Innovation to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Services, and Hon. Philip Habu James, who is redeployed from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Services to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tinubu approve reconstruction of Numan-Jalingo, Mutum Biyu–Garba Chede, Mayo Selbe–Gembu roads

By Taraba Facts President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the completion of the long-abandoned Jalingo–Numan Road, rehabilitation of the Mutum Biyu–Garba Chede Road and construction of the Mayo Selbe–Gembu Road has been welcomed as a major development for Taraba State. The approval is expected to address some of the state’s long-standing road infrastructure challenges and improve connectivity between communities, commercial centres and neighbouring states. The Jalingo–Numan Road, which has remained abandoned for years, is considered a critical route for the movement of people and goods between Taraba and Adamawa states. Its completion is expected to ease transportation, reduce travel difficulties and support economic activities along the corridor. Similarly, the rehabilitation of the Mutum Biyu–Garba Chede Road and construction of the Mayo Selbe–Gembu Road are expected to improve access to rural communities and boost agricultural, tourism and commercial activities, particu...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kefas Bans Livestock Rearing in Residential Areas of Jalingo, Imposes ₦50,000 Fine

The Taraba State Government has banned the rearing of animals in residential areas and other parts of Jalingo, the state capital, as part of efforts to tackle environmental nuisance, safeguard public health, and maintain a cleaner and more orderly city. The government also warned that anyone found violating the directive will face an immediate fine of ₦50,000. Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental Sanitation Agency (TSESA), Mr. Iliya Kefas, announced the ban during the state's monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Jalingo.
Post a Comment
Read more