By Godwin Agia, Taraba
At least four returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Tiv extraction have been killed in an attack by gunmen suspected to be Jukun militia in Tse Yaweh village, about three kilometres from Rafin-Kada town in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, also left eight people injured, while 18 houses were reportedly burnt.
The Taraba State Police Command confirmed the incident, although the command said it was yet to receive full details of the attack.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Victor Mshelizeh, told our correspondent that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area had not provided detailed information on the incident due to network challenges.
Leaders of the displaced persons in the area, Terhule Ahuur and Peter Achibo, told journalists that the gunmen invaded the community at about 1:45 a.m. and opened fire on residents.
According to them, the attack was allegedly linked to the killing of some Jukun youths along the Wukari-Rafin-Kada road on Tuesday.
“We got a report yesterday that gunmen had attacked and killed some Jukun youths along the Wukari-Rafin-Kada road. A few hours later, Jukun militia invaded our community and started shooting at people,” the IDP leaders said.
They alleged that the attackers accused members of the Tiv community of being responsible for the killing of the Jukun youths.
They added that the attackers returned to the community on Wednesday morning, killing four people, injuring eight others and setting 18 houses ablaze.
The IDP leaders expressed concern over what they described as repeated attacks on vulnerable Tiv IDPs whenever criminal incidents occur along the Wukari-Rafin-Kada road.
They appealed to security agencies, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas and other stakeholders to urgently intervene to prevent further escalation of the crisis and restore peace to the affected communities.
“It is disheartening to suspect vulnerable displaced persons of perpetrating attacks on people along the road. Whenever a criminal incident occurs on the road, Jukun youths rise and attack vulnerable Tiv IDPs without investigation,” they alleged.
The leaders further questioned the basis for linking Tiv residents to the attacks, noting that the Nigerian Army had recently arrested three suspected criminals who, according to them, were not of Tiv origin.
“How then can the Jukun youths believe that all criminal activities and attacks on their people are being carried out by Tiv people?” they queried.
Security agencies are expected to investigate the incident and establish the identities of those responsible for the killings and destruction.
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