Not fewer than eight persons were killed in the late hours of Monday at the gate of 83 Battalion, Ada Army Barracks Takum, the headquarters of Takum local government area of Taraba state.
The victims were villagers of Jenuwa Nyifiye community, a Kutep speaking tribe, located opposite the Army gate. They were said to be returning from evening prayers at one of the churches within the community.
One of the traditional rulers of the community Chief Godson Danlami Wasa who spoke to our correspondent stated that the people were killed by bandits who have been freely terrorizing the area for over some months without been apprehended by security.
“They invaded our community late yesterday (monday) killed our people, some of the victims were burnt beyond recognition as the bandits set their houses ablaze.
Danlami also stated that at time the bandits were killing the victims, men and women scampered for survival while children were left behind to their fates.
“It was a gruesome and pathetic sight as about 8 people couldn’t escape the rain of bullets from the bandits while several others sustained injuries”.
“The local vigilante group in the community attempted to engage the bandits but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the bandits.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Taraba state command, DSP Usman Abubakar confirmed the attack saying three persons were killed as against eight.
The PPRO also said critical information over the killings revealed that the invaders were Fulanis, he said “Before the army could come to the scene, they fled the area. He said the police are all over the hideouts to fish out the killers.
