‘100 Killed, 59 Villages Dislodged By Taraba Crisis’

Kuteb people in Taraba State have cried out over the killing of their people and dislodging of about 59 communities in one year.

According to the Kutep people, more than 100 persons have been killed in Takum, Ussa local government areas and Yangtu special development area in the state within 12 months by gunmen.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP, the president-general of Kuteb Worldwide, Emmanuel Ukwen, who stated this, said the killings were still ongoing in communities of Takum, Ussa and Yangtu bearing the brunt.

He said the latest attack on Tuesday claimed the lives of three people adding that innocent lives were wasted while properties worth hundreds of millions of naira have also been destroyed.

Ukwen said the killings became more pronounced in the past few months as over 100 persons have been killed within 12 months.

“The latest is the attack of Tuesday where over three of our people were butchered to death.

“The killings began as a quarrel in a farm land and our brother died as we were taking him to the hospital because he was macheted in the farm.

“Since then, our communities have been under attack from one village to the other. As we speak, at least 59 villages have been sacked,” Ukwen said.

Findings revealed that some villages have come under heavy attacks with many villagers losing their life and property.

The villages are Tati, Fawen Simta, Bassan, Muji 1, Muji 2, Tukog, Tati, Kumbo,Ucha, Nyido, Rimamnyang nyido, Kwentam 1 Lagos, Kwentam, Rimamndeyati, Alaha, Kpambo puri, Ripaenchin, Urerimam, Kpamshibe, Pangtso, Rubur Nyim (Jenuwa Kogi), Rikwenboi (Kwari), Acha Nyim, Sati Tsingnya, Rikwentwen, Rikwenmbakun, Fikyu Nyim, Fikyu Ndukwe, Rikwentumum, Kando, Kijwaen, Kongkaen, Sik and Kakum.

Ukwen also stated that villages like Mbiya 1, Mbiya 2, Tamiya,  Rikumcwo, Washing Rufu, Lumpa, Mbiya, Kabsi, Bura, Jwunyim, Waesi, Shienda (Kpambo yashe) have been sacked.

Others also hit by the wave of ruthless invasion are Acha Sabka, Mzunki, Jenuwa Rikya, Jenewa Nyifiye, Jenuwa ribasi, Jenuwa Ruwa, Rukur, Urerimam, Utobrimam,Titih, Kutika, Fangta, Paenko and Fukrum.

The association called on the federal government to intervene in the killings.

The state police public relations Officer (PPRO), however, insisted that the police was never overwhelmed by the state of insecurity in the state, adding that there are no internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in Takum.