There is growing anxiety in Taraba State, particularly in Ibbi local government area, over the killing of four fishermen from the state at Osama village in Ogbolu local government area of Anambra State by suspected members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB).
There are also concerns on the fate of nine others who were held hostage by the same group after killing the four while they were traveling from Ibbi in Taraba to the River Niger for their yearly fishing activity.
Relatives of the victims who spoke to our correspondent in Taraba said the fishermen who left Ibbi on Monday with their family members were intercepted by the IPOB members in Anambra State during the sit-at-home order by IPOB.
“Four of the fishermen were killed on the spot, nine of them were taken hostage last Monday, we received calls from some people claiming to be IPOB members demanding ransom for the release of the nine fishermen,” Sule Hussein, a relative of one of the nine persons, told our correspondent.
“We demanded to speak with any of the nine fishermen to ensure that they are alive but the callers refused. We have not communicated with any of them five days after they were taken into the forest in a remote part of Anambra State, some people are calling us to pay ransom but we declined because they refused to connect us with any of those being held.
“Our main concern is that, are they alive or dead, that is the answer we are waiting for the Taraba State government to do something about. All of those being held have wives and children,” Sule Hussein stated.
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas said the state government was aware of the incident and had made moves to see that the nine remaining fishermen are rescued alive.
The special adviser to the governor on media and digital communications, Hon. Bello disclosed this while commenting on the development.
“The governor and government of Taraba State are aware of the situation; the governor is committed to seeing that the people are rescued alive,” Bello stated.
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