BREAKING NEWS:More than 70 feared dead in Taraba multiple attacks

firstclassnewsline.net

Firstclass newsline has learnt that No fewer than 70 persons were said
to have lost their lives and several others injured in separate
attacks in Karim Lamido and Takum Local Government Areas of Taraba
State within the past few days.
It was alleged that 27 people were killed in Karim-Lamido LGA
following a reprisal by the military.
Firstclass newsline learnt that suspected Fulani gunmen ambushed and
killed six soldiers while three were said to be missing two days ago
when the gunmen attacked the soldiers between Amar and Kambari village
of Karim Lamido LGA.
The soldiers were said to be on a routine patrol of the area when they
were ambushed and killed.
Three of the missing soldiers were also found dead by the military
when they combed the area in search of their missing colleagues.
In Takum LGA, 21 people were killed on Sunday by suspected Kuteb
youths, who were said to be on a revenge mission after about 13 of
their people were alleged to have been killed along Takum-Katsina-Ala
and Takum-Kashinbilla roads between Friday and Saturday by
yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
It was learnt that while the soldiers were in search of three of
their missing colleagues in Karim Lamido, suspected gunmen opened fire
on them and the military replied, leaving over 27 persons dead.
Chairman of Karim Lamido LGA, Bobboi Bello Bendu, could not confirm
the number of casualties, but said there was an exchange of fire in
the area.
He said, "Two villages were completed razed, but I can't tell the
exact number of casualties at the moment. The report I am getting
indicates that some persons were killed."
There were reports that trucks, loaded with soldiers from Taraba and
the neighbouring Adamawa state, stormed the area two days ago to
search for their missing colleagues.
A military source, who pleaded anonymity, said they recovered two
bodies of their missing colleagues and were looking for the remaining
one when gunmen opened fire on them.
He added that they defended themselves and in the process, many of the
attackers were killed. But locals said, over 27 people were killed.
Tension is said to be mounting in Takum town and its environs as the
Kuteb youths are reported to be hunting and killing Tiv people, who
they alleged killed 13 of their people.
Following the development, the council chairman Mr. Caleb Babafi,
imposed a 24-hour curfew in Takum town to forestall the breakdown of
law of order in the area.
Confirming the killings, Police Public Relations Officer, Joseph
Kwaji, said he was not aware of the killings in Karim Lamido, but said
nine people were killed in Takum following clashes between Tiv and
Kuteb.
Firstclassnewsline.net