There was tension in Nyicwu Village, in the Yangtu Development Area of Takum Local Government Council of Taraba State as 10 farmers were reportedly killed in an attack by suspected armed Fulani bandits.
According to the Taraba State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Usman, who confirmed the incident on Saturday, the attack was carried out on Friday, November 24, 2023.
The police image maker in the state revealed that the assailants killed ten farmers who were on their way to their fields.
The police identified the suspects as Hope Hassan, Rimamsomtse Lamadi, Holiness Enoch, Rimamtsiki Enoch, Egwu Hassan, Saleh Kyatiki, Ephraim Atenji, Manasseh Atenji, and Hassan Songure.
According to the police command, all the victims are members of the Kuteb ethnic group of the state.
The PPRO also revealed that the assailants escaped after the attack.
The Commissioner of Police Joseph Eribo, has ordered the immediate deployment of an anti-kidnapping team to the area.
The remains of the victims have been released to their relatives for burial.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested a farmer identified as Paul Amaechi, following the alleged killing of a herder for grazing cattle on his farm.
The mutilated body of the herder was reportedly found on Amaechi’s farm at Telemu village in Ago-Owu, Ayedaade Local Government Area of the state on Thursday, raising suspicions of his involvement in the deceased’s death.
Confirming the incident on Friday, the state NSCDC spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, said the remains of the victim had been evacuated from the scene of the crime.
“Paul Amaechi, who is a Tiv farmer, was arrested by a joint operation of the police and the NSCDC over the murder of a herder.
“The suspect and his cohorts, according to an eyewitness, had allegedly laid ambush for the herders.
“The eyewitness, who is also a herder, said Amaechi was displeased after his farm was damaged by herders that took their cattle there to feed about two weeks ago.”