TARABA KILLINGS: Women show anger, declared war against attacks

It was a week of tears and agony for residents of Tudiri and Janibanibu communities in Ardo Kola local government area of Taraba State after suspected herdsmen unleashed terror on them. 

Women protest in Taraba

The attacks, which claimed about10 lives in two days, came when many thought peace was gradually returning.

VAM gathered a reports of an attacks by suspected herdsmen on 11 Taraba villages of Murkunu, Murtia, Yaukani, Murbai, Yawai, Somporo, Jekunuhou, Sembe, Ndayaro, Kaudad and Keshabro in Jalingo and Ardo-Kola LGAs, where about 8,494 people were displaced a month ago. 

The first of the latest attacks, launched on Sunday, sparked outrage in Jalingo and almost led into another crisis in the state capital.“Sounds of heavy gunshots could be heard and thick smokes from burnt houses could be seen in most parts of the city centre, which is less than one kilometre from the invaded village, Tudiri. 

This caused panic in the ever busy ATC, Nukkai and Kasuwan Bera axis of Jalingo as residents scampered for safety while most businesses were forced to shut down. 

Tension rose when residents who had fled Tudiri, mostly women and children, on Sunday evening, started trooping into Nukkai, ATC among other parts of the metropolis on foot crying for help. Confusion enveloped the town, especially the Taraba State University area of ATC and environs. 

“Some students, who just returned to their hostels after lecturers of the institution earlier in the week shelved their strike action, left the hostels for fear of the unknown. “Kona youths, who were protesting about what they described as the poor response of security operatives to the attack, mounted roadblocks to express their grievances around Nukkai, ATC axis Sunday night. 

“But for the intervention of security operatives, the protest could have led to more violence.