INSECURITY: Anger in Taraba as bandits operate freely in some villages
By Ahmed Usman Jalingo
The security challenge bedevilling Taraba State in the North East is on the rise as kidnapping for ransom becoming order of the day mostly in four local government areas of the state. The LGAs affected are Ardo Kola, Bali, Lau and Yorro where over twenty villages were ransacked by bandits who terrorise people sometimes in broad daylight.
It was gathered that many villages were deserted for the fear of bandits attacks. They include Baka, Buzi, Kasakuru, Majowere, Digun, Nyapori, Takanabang, Dore and Safayarna in Ardo Kola LGA; Garin Hamidu, Dan Giwa, Garbatau, Garin Halilu, Nayi Nawa, Garin Jima, Shatoka, Gindin Dutse, Sandaru, Mai Turmi, Garin Isuhu, Bandaguri, Gang Penton, Gang Danbana, Gang Lari, Hamdallahi and Donkolon in Bali LGA.
In some villages of Lau and Yorro LGAs many people are sleeping with one of their eyes open. Villages affected include Mararraban Kunini, Appawa, Pupule, Mararraba Gada, Gampu, Zagum and Dankum.
In the recent months, Taraba State is facing a serious challenge posed by the activities of kidnappers in many parts of North and Central zones of the state and farmers and herders crisis in Southern part especially in Takum and Usaa LGAs and Yangtu Special Development Area.
A second class Chief of Kwaji in Yorro LGA and 18 people including a pregnant woman were kidnapped, gunmen shot District Head of Sarkin Kudu to dead. The district head, Ali Hakimi, was reportedly attacked in his palace at Sarkin Kudu town at about 12.30am. A source in the area told our reporter that the terrorists, about 10 in number, forced themselves into the palace of the district head and shot him dead.
About 16 people were kidnapped in Mararraban Kunini, Lau LGA, while 4 were kidnapped in Buzi village of Ardo-Kola LGA. These are few incidents of kidnapping reportedly recently.
Worried with these scenarios, a Labour Party stalwart in Taraba State, Rikwentishe Manseh Danbeki accused the PDP led administration in the state under Dr. Kefas Agbu of negligence on security saying kidnappers are freely operating in many villages of Ardo Kola, Bali, Lau and Yorro LGAs
In a chat, with journalists in Jalingo, Manseh Danbeki opioned that the security system in Taraba has collapsed and the governor is doing nothing to remedy it. “Let me tell you the reality of situation in Taraba State as of now. The governor has lost control of the situation. The security architecture of Taraba has collapsed.
“Governor Kefas has visited top-notch of military, Police and other paramilitary agencies in their headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s capital in his bid to overcome security challenges bedevilling his state but the visits didn’t yielded any positive results. There are no indications showing that the governor’s security initiatives are on the right path despite being a former military personnel.” Said Manseh Danbeki
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On his part, a human rights lawyer and social activits, Barrister Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanci explained that it is high time now for gorvernor Kefas to seek permission from Mr President granting citizens of Taraba to take arms to protect themselves.
According to the lawyer, there is an hypocrisy in the security architecture of the country especially among military and police and other civilians. He said no government failed in its responsibility of protecting life and property of the citizens.He added that Nigerian military fought and won battles outside the shores of the country but wondered why they are not winning war with terrorists within their country.
Bearing his mind on the issue, a university lecturer Dr. Adamu Muhammed attributed the security challenges to what he called “lackadaisical attitude” from all that concern on the security of Taraba State stressing that the authorities concerned should be blamed.
“The provisions of the counstitution clearly states that the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of live and property of its citizens. By this, any other things that may come, have to come after life and property have been protected.
“And of recent, looking at the spread of kidnapping, one has every right to conclude that Jalingo municipality has been surrounded in a ring manner by kidnappers’ den from Bali and Garba Chede axis, Zing and Yorro axis, Mayo lope and Mararraban Kunini axis and Kwando village in Ardo Kola and other areas.
“Every citizen that leaves in Jalingo is actually leaving under parpetual fear because he or she is prone to kidnapping.
“These kidnappers are not operating alone. They have shelf in areas where we do not expect them to be and the level at which they are kidnapping now is so daring and challenging to both the government and the security operatives.
” I want to call on the Taraba State Governor who is a retired military and who has PhD in Defense Intelligence that this is a challenge he can summon.” He concluded.
A youth advocate and Chairman of Wake Wake Association, a political pressure group in Taraba State Comrade Umar Sani Gassol also added his voice on call to Taraba State Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas to redouble effort in fighting bandits in the state.
According to the young politician, the governor has all it takes to summon security challenges bedevilling Taraba. “You were a military personnel. You have knowledge of security issues, you are an expert in security matters. Nobody will lead you in security sector. Apart from this, you are a clergyman who knows religious doctrines.
“It’s our duty as individuals or as group to challenge you on the news for you to stand firm and redouble efforts in improving security in Taraba State.
“Security is everything. If we may recall, farmers were barred by bandits from harvesting their farm produce. It’s affecting economic growth of the state and social life of the citizens. It’s high time now for you to take security challenges bedevilling Taraba State as a serious one and deal with it.
“We need prayers from all and sundry especially religious leaders to overcome these challenges.” He said.
