Gunmen Invade Taraba Communities, Kidnap 5

Gunmen have invaded Adam Shiva and Jabi communities in Badakoshi Ward of Bali local government area in Taraba State and kidnapped five persons in the incident

The attackers, numbering 27, stormed the farming communities in the early hours of Monday in seven motorcycles, with three armed men on each of them.

They also assaulted the residents, including women, children and the elderly.

An eyewitness reported that the gunmen arrived in the area with sophisticated weapons to carry out the acts.

According to him, “they terrorised the communities, looted houses, and made away with cash and valuables worth thousands of naira.

One of the victims, Emmanuel Jabi, said the gunmen chased residents, beat them, snatched mobile phones, and broke into homes during the attack.

“We were going about our normal activities when suddenly we saw many motorcycles carrying people with sophisticated weapons.

Jabi added, “Immediately they arrived, they started chasing people and beating them. They even beat my ailing 70-year-old father.”

He added that the attackers broke into houses, collected large sums of money and mobile phones, and eventually kidnapped two of his siblings before fleeing the area.

LEADERSHIP gathered that, after attacking the Adam Shiva household, where women and children were beaten and three persons kidnapped, the gunmen proceeded to the Jabi community.

Another victim, who identified himself as Terkimbi, said, “They came on many motorcycles and cordoned off our compound in a military style.

“They claimed they were members of a hunters’ union. They molested people, snatched phones, broke into houses, and took away our money. At the end, they forcefully took away three of my brothers.”

Adam Shiva and Jabi are remote farming settlements located in the hinterland of Badakoshi Ward.

As of the time of filing this report, no comment from the state police authority confirming the incident.

The police public relations officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, said he was not aware of the development, nor was any such complaint lodged, but he promised to revert.