Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Residents, police trade blame over Taraba crisis

By Igho Akeregha (Abuja Bureau Chief) and Charles Akpeji (Jalingo) 
05 December 2017   |   11:36 pm
Two days after the deadly clashes in three Adamawa communities of Lawaru, Dong and Kiken, residents and the police yesterday continued to trade blame over the poor handling of security in the area. An official of Numan Local Council Area accused the police of failing to act during the attacks, which occurred on December 4.…

Nigeria Police Force. Photo: Naijang

Two days after the deadly clashes in three Adamawa communities of Lawaru, Dong and Kiken, residents and the police yesterday continued to trade blame over the poor handling of security in the area.

An official of Numan Local Council Area accused the police of failing to act during the attacks, which occurred on December 4.

According to the residents, the police deployed in the villages asked the youth to lead the way, while they stayed back under trees as the attackers had a field day.

The attacks allegedly carried out by heavily armed Fulani militia led to the death of scores of villagers from the three communities and the destruction of their homes.

But, in a reaction, the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, disclosed at a television programme monitored in Abuja yesterday, that there is no unit commander or policeman that would ask civilians to be in the front of an attack while they follow from the rear. “This allegation cannot be true and it is difficult to verify.”

Moshood said the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had since ordered the deployment of five units, comprising 63 police officers in each unit of anti-riot policemen in the affected communities.

He disclosed that four policemen were ambushed and killed by the attackers, while three others were still missing, adding that the attacks took place in Delmas Local Council Area, and not Numan where the over 300 policemen were deployed.

While assuring that police and other security agents had been deployed in the area, he urged the traditional rulers and community leaders to join efforts at finding a lasting solution to the spate of violence.

Meanwhile, TIV monarchs yesterday commended the Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, over his efforts at improving the security of lives and property in the state.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Bali Local Council Area of the state

The leaders urged the people to support the governor’s ‘Rescue Mission’, which is aimed at repositioning the state.

The monarch of Bali, Zaki David Gbaa, and his counterpart in Gunduma, Zaki Targema Ukange, disclosed that the peaceful coexistence, promotion of culture and welfare of the Tiv people were discussed at the meeting.

They expressed support for the Open Anti-Grazing Law, which they said would bring an end to the incessant skirmishes between the herdsmen and farmers.

In this article

0 Comments