Tension in Taraba as hoodlums torch houses of SSG, ex-Deputy Speaker
Two policemen drown while escorting polls’ results
PALPABLE tension yesterday enveloped Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, as hoodlums numbering over hundred burnt down the houses of both the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Gebon T. Kataps and former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abel Peter Diah.
The hoodlums, believed to have allegedly been sponsored by an opposition political party, were said to have stormed the premises of the duo in Gembu, the administrative headquarters of Sardauna Local Council, thereby burning down their houses and other valuables.
Apart from the duo, who suffered losses in the attack, other stakeholders from the area, including the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Ahmed Umaru, are also counting their losses.
Though no life was lost at the time of filing in this report, several vehicles were also confirmed to have been vandalised by the hoodlums. Confirming the report to The Guardian, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, said: “As I am talking with you now, I am in a hidden place.”
He said the supporters of the said opposition political party went on rampage “because they were bent in altering the election results in one of the largest constituencies in the area.”
Also speaking with The Guardian on phone, the SSG said as I am talking with you now, “my house is on fire; they have set it ablaze. All my valuables are gone.”
Confirming the incident to our reporter, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Joseph Kwage, said he has got the report of the attack but could not confirm if the SSG’s house was included.
According to him: “As we speak now, I have been trying to get the DPO to brief me on the true situation but his mobile lines are not going through.”
In another development, tragedy yesterday struck in Bali Local Council of Taraba State when two policemen got drowned while escorting election results to the collation centre in Bali. The policemen, who were deployed to Mario village in the council, were said to have boarded a boat going to their area of primary assignment when the boat capsized killing only the two policemen.
An eyewitness, who spoke with The Guardian, said all efforts by the villagers to rescue the policemen proved abortive, adding: “Before we were alerted of the incident, the danger had been done.”
Confirming the report to The Guardian, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Joseph Kwaji, said the two policemen were on a national duty when they were confronted by death.
According to him: “They were deployed to Mario village. They boarded a boat going to Bali town when the boat capsized and that was how they got drowned.” The development, The Guardian learnt, may have compelled the electoral officers in the council to cancel the election from the ward as the results were said to have as well been carted away by the river.
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