Gunmen have sacked residents of 15 communities which some include Garbatau, Mirimidankol, Gidan Hamidu, Dangiwa, Nayinawa, Garin Gima, Bantaguru, ShaDussa, Garin Bose, Mailabari, and Kaigama among several other communities in Bali Local Government area of Taraba State.
Penpushing reports that the development has forced many residents fled their homes, in the local government located in the central zone of the state and some 161km from Jalingo, the state capital, while sources added that several others were feared kidnapped by the bandits
The fleeing residents narrating their ordeal said the bandits have been attacking communities in the area since August, adding that more than 40 people were kidnapped or missing following the attack, and that the criminals often hide within the surrounding forest and mountains to launch attacks and hide in them afterwards.
Penpushing further reports that sources added that on Wednesday, 6 September,2023 the bandits attacked Garba Chede, a large settlement in the locality, stressing that growing number of abductions in the area is halting business and farming activities in many of the villages of the local government area.
The source explained that following recurring attacks forcing residents to flee Bali town, the bandits have now take over the communities and living in the homes of the fled residents, lamenting that it has become a worrisome development
‘This is the situation now in Bali. We are in a terrible situation. Even last Wednesday they attacked Garba Chede, where most of the displaced persons are taking refuge, and kidnapped many, including women and children. We can’t go to the farm because if you are found in the farm, you will either be abducted or killed. Life has become entirely miserable. We are calling on relevant authorities to come to our aid’, the source said.
Penpushing also reports that a villager from the Garbatau community, Musa Mainoma, explained that residents of the affected villages have deserted the area and are now taking refuge in Garba Chede, Sunkani, and Pamamga towns.
The villager said many of those that fled are still missing and parents are still searching for their missing children, adding that the bandits kidnapped many villagers and rustled cattle and also looted shops in all the villages they attacked.
Penpushing reports that another resident of Garba Chede explained that over three thousand people who ran away from the farming communities during the attacks are now taking refuge in Garba Chede town, adding that the town have offered free accommodation to the victims.
The District Head of Gamfurum, Muhammed Gamfurum, while addressing journalists that 15 communities in the locality are now under the control of bandits, adding that the bandits are in the communities living and operating freely.
Penpushing further reports that he said hundreds of people from the communities are in the custody of the kidnappers, while those lucky to have escaped from the areas have taken refuge in Garba-Chede, the administrative headquarters of the chiefdom, adding that he narrowly escaped with his wives and children.
‘They attempted to abduct me and members of my family severally, but I escaped, and was compelled to relocate from the area with my family. We have no option but to run away from our towns and villages to safe areas because the bandits are in large numbers and armed with AK47 guns’, he stated .
‘The bandits treat abductees as slaves; they chain and force them to carry loads. whenever they are moving to another base or location. I am appealing to relevant authorities to, as a matter of urgency, put mechanisms in place to address the situation, as the bandits had in the last week, abducted many, including women and children’, he added.
Penpushing also reports that the District Head of Gamfurum disclosed that six victims from the communities regained freedom after paying N7 million ransom.
The Taraba State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Usman, while confirming the development said the command has come up with a joint patrol to arrest the situation, explaining that the team would soon flush out the bandits who have been making life unbearable for the people.
‘Last Friday, the Commissioner of Police drafted more men to join that operation. He briefed them at the headquarters before drafting them, and more men will also be sent to beef up the operation’, he said
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