We saw helicopters carrying weapon - Taraba elders warn against fresh attack

- Some elders in Taraba state have warned against fresh attack by some gunmen

- The elders said some people sighted a weapon-laden helicopter hovering around the state

- They said they are worried that the security agencies do not seem perturbed by happenings in Taraba state especially Takum LG

A fresh attack in Nasarawa state has left seven people including an old woman dead.

The attack which took place in Kadarko in the Kiza development area occurred on Tuesday, January 30.

Punch reports that some gunmen had invaded Kadarko community and shot sporadically at residents of the area.

Also, many residents of the community were seen leaving the area in large numbers.

The displaced persons - including some pregnant women who could not travel out of the local government - were seen heading to an internally displaced persons camp for shelter.

Reacting to the attack, one of the survivors, Raymond Emberga, said the gunshots made a dog in the area to bark.

Emberga said the attackers shot at the dog which narrowly escaped.

“If not for the dog there would have been a lot of casualties because the barking attracted attention and some people managed to escape,” Emberga said.

Also, the governor of Nasarawa state, Tanko Al-Makura during a visit to the scene of the incident

Al-Makura said: “I have been in touch with the Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, to ensure that we provide adequate security for the IDP camp. Adequate relief materials and healthcare services have already been provided.’’

“Please don’t go to your farms yet. Don’t go to isolated areas. We don’t want any life to be lost. I am here on behalf of myself, government and the people of Nasarawa State to share in your griefs.

It is a pity that this thing has happened. Nobody is happy about it. I am disturbed because this is coming barely 48 hours after the same kind of action took place not far from here during which people were abducted," the governor said.

Meanwhile, elders in Taraba state have issued a warning to residents in the state to be mindful of fresh attacks.

The elders under the aegis of Concerned Elders Forum on Tuesday, January 30, said some people had sighted a weapon-laden helicopter.

Spokesperson of the CEF, Joshua Ande, said: “We are worried that the security agencies do not seem perturbed by happenings in Taraba state, especially Takum LGA, where the security concern has reached the level of red alert. Stories of kidnapping and killings are now daily.

The southern part of the state, which is near Benue State and shares border with some of the crisis areas of Logo and Guma LGAs, where Fulani herdsmen recently engaged in acts of pogrom, are clearly under serious security threat.

“Since then, our people have witnessed all sorts of brigandage and criminality around the area. Residents reported that they saw a helicopter carrying weapons. Nobody gave this any serious thought at the top.

“A member of the House of Assembly, Hosea Ibi, was kidnapped and killed. Late Ibi was picked up near the military barracks in Takum. This has raised fears that even around the military fortress, people are no longer safe. This is a barracks with soldiers; yet, gunmen are having a field day. A few days after the burial of the late legislator, gunmen attacked Takum LGA chairman and a lady was killed in the attack. The barracks and its soldiers looked on.

“The following day, an Igbo trader was kidnapped near the barracks. His fate is presently unknown. At Manya too, near the same barracks, another man was killed. Takum has become a killing field even with a barracks in place," Ande said.

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NAIJ.com earlier reported that the Nigerian army's clearance operations nationwide is still on.

The army in a recent statement said it's doing all it can to raid criminal hideouts across the nation.

The campaign recently extended to Benue state where a notorious native doctor spiritually backing a militia leader was arrested.

Victims of herdsmen killings buried in Benue state on NAIJ.com TV