By Godwin Agia, Taraba
The Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental Sanitation Agency (TSESA), Hon. Iliya Kefas Alhaji, has denied allegations that he stabbed a resident of Abuja Phase II with a knife, saying the injury occurred during a scuffle with security personnel.
Hon. Iliya Kefas made the clarification while interacting with journalists in Jalingo on Wednesday, describing reports circulating on social media as false and misleading.
He explained that the incident occurred on Tuesday when residents of Owoniyi Quarters and Abuja Phase II came to the agency to demand the release of three goats impounded during a sanitation patrol.
According to him, the animals were seized for roaming freely and destroying flowers planted along streets in Jalingo, in line with the state government’s directive on the control of roaming animals.
The chairman said tension escalated when one of the goat owners threatened him during the discussion.
“I did not stab or hit anybody. I do not even know the person who alleged that I stabbed him with a knife.
“While we were discussing, one of them said that if the goats were not released, he would slaughter me,” he stated.
He said he directed police officers to take the individual who allegedly made the threat to the station, but others resisted and insisted that they should all be taken together. A scuffle then broke out between some of the men and security personnel.
Hon. Iliya maintained that the resident’s injury was not caused by a knife but by a fall during the struggle.
“There was nothing like a knife. Nobody stabbed anybody. It was a collision during the pushing and resistance, and the man hit his forehead against the staircase,” he explained.
He said the enforcement operation was carried out in line with government policy to keep Jalingo clean and prevent animals from roaming freely in urban areas.
He urged residents to comply with the directive, adding that the impounded goats would be processed through the Mobile Court.
Hon. Iliya also criticised media platforms and social media users for publishing the allegation without seeking verification from the agency or the police.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enforcing environmental sanitation laws across the state.
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