By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Suspected Jukun militia on Friday attacked and killed one returning Internally Displaced Person (IDP) and burnt down nine houses in Tse Ajogo village of Wukari Local Government Area, Taraba State.
Our correspondent reports that Tse Ajogo is located about four kilometers from Rafin Kada town in Wukari LGA.
Eyewitnesses, Aondowase Torna and Shimakaa Akor, who narrowly escaped death, told our correspondent that the attackers invaded the village around 6:00 a.m. and began shooting at anyone on sight. During the attack, one person identified as Terkimbi Joo was killed.
Tribune also gathered that three women — Mbalamen Iorkyaa, Doofan Akase, and Ngodoo Mkavga — along with a 70-year-old man, Tyokyaa Orkwaar, were abducted by the militia but later released after being beaten and robbed of their phones and cash.
“The attackers invaded our village located about four kilometers away from Rafin Kada town and killed Terkimbi Joo. They burnt nine houses and took away three women and an elderly man, but later released them,”
said Aondowase Torna and Shimakaa Akor.
One of the survivors narrated that the attackers, led by Mr. Makai Bako Tsukwa, a known Jukun youth leader, warned them never to return to the area.
“They captured us and took us into the bush after killing Terkimbi Joo. They beat us, seized our phones and money, and released us after warning that anyone seen in the area again would be killed,”
one of the women recounted.
Confirming the incident, Mr. Aondowase Tor-Orshi, Chairman of the Tiv Cultural and Social Association, Wukari Chapter, said the attack targeted Tiv IDPs who had just returned to their homes.
However, efforts to reach the Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Lashen James, and the Chairman of Wukari LGA, Hon. Dauda Samaila, for confirmation proved unsuccessful, as calls to their mobile lines went unanswered several hours after the attack.
