Bandits Kill Soldier, Pregnant Woman In Taraba, Abduct 15 Others  

Barely two weeks after the deadly attack on Binnari community in Taraba State, suspected bandits have launched another assault on communities in Karim-Lamido local government area if the state, killing a soldier, a local hunter and a pregnant woman accordingly.

The latest attack, which reportedly occurred at about 4pm on Tuesday, targeted Kuka Sarkin Yamma and Ruwan-Zafi communities, where the assailants allegedly abducted more than 15 residents.

The incident has heightened fears among residents, who are increasingly worried about the renewed wave of violence, despite ongoing security efforts in the area.

A community stakeholder from Ruwan-Zafi, Mr Tanko Bobo, said military personnel and local hunters pursued the attackers in an attempt to rescue the abducted residents, resulting in an exchange of gunfire that claimed the lives of a soldier and a hunter.

According to him, the security team succeeded in rescuing some of the victims, but the attackers escaped with several others.

Bobo also disclosed that the gunmen killed a pregnant woman at Ruwan-Zafi during the invasion, further deepening the grief and anxiety among residents.

“The bandits once again attacked our communities and picked 15 persons. While the military and local hunters were going after them to rescue the abductees, one soldier and a local hunter were killed.

They were able to rescue a few persons from the bandits’ hands,” he said.

He lamented that residents were becoming helpless over the recurring attacks, particularly coming barely 12 days after the invasion of Binnari community, where at least 52 people were reportedly killed.

“Everybody is living in fear now. We thought the incident of last week had come and gone, but unfortunately, it has happened again. We are becoming helpless here in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area,” he added.

The renewed violence comes amid efforts by the Taraba State Government to strengthen security operations, with Governor Agbu Kefas visiting the newly established 10 Division of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday.

However, the Taraba State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the latest attack as its Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, could not be reached for confirmation as of the time of filing this report.