A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Aondofa Orkeghen, has narrated the circumstances surrounding the killing of his father, Mr Francis Orkeghen, and four other relatives by suspected terrorists in Chanchanji Ward of Takum Local Government Area in Taraba State.
The twenty-nine (29) years old Orkeghen, who is currently serving in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, said the attack occurred at New Gboko Village following repeated raids by armed men suspected to be terrorists.
He said the assailants had earlier attacked a neighbouring village, killing scores of residents and forcing others to flee. According to him, his mother alerted him after the initial attack.
“I immediately arranged for a driver to help move our belongings out of the village, not knowing the attackers would return,” he said.
Orkeghen explained that during the second attack, his father chose to remain behind briefly to retrieve some personal belongings while other family members fled.
“My father told my mother to go while he stayed back to pick a few things. Unfortunately, the attackers returned the next day,” he said.
He added that his father and four members of their extended family who stayed behind were killed during the second invasion.
The corps member disclosed that one of the attackers later used his father’s mobile phone to call him and confessed to the killing.
“I asked about the owner of the phone, and he told me he had killed my father. He even warned that I could be the next victim,” Orkeghen said.
He described the moment as devastating, adding that the attacker showed no remorse during the call.
“They were laughing in the background,” he said.
Out of fear, Orkeghen said he ended the call and contacted his uncle and brother, adding that the same confession was repeated to them.
He further alleged that following the attack, armed Fulani men moved into the community in large numbers, occupying villages after residents were forced to flee.
“As I speak, those who killed my father are everywhere in our community. It is not just my village; the entire Chanchanji community has been overrun. Nobody can return because the attackers are still there,” he said.
Orkeghen added that his mother, sister, and brother escaped during the first attack by hiding in the bush overnight before they were evacuated to a nearby town the following morning.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the worsening security situation and continued attacks on rural communities in parts of Taraba State.
