The Southern Taraba Youths Coalition for peace have raised the alarm over sustained attacks on communities in Ussa, Takum and Yangtu Local Government Areas of the state. Addressing a press conference in Jalingo, the state capital, Project Director of the coalition, Hajara John, expressed fears that the 2023 elections may not hold in the areas unless the situation is addressed by the authorities.
“As we speak, communities in Southern Taraba are under siege, especially Takum and Ussa Local Government Areas as well as Yangtu Special Development Area.
“Due to this sad reality in our land, we are afraid that elections may not be conducted in Southern Taraba if the situation is not addressed.
“Our people are facing daily attacks by bandits who use sophisticated weapons to kill”, she said.
According to her, the bandits were responsible for the death of the commanding officer of the 93 battalion of the Nigerian Army and six soldiers in May 2022.
She lamented that since then “the attacks have heightened in frequency and sophistication, leaving over 40 Kuteb villages destroyed.”
Also speaking during the Press Conference, founder of the Southern Taraba Youths Coalition for Peace, Rikwensi Muri, said about 70 per cent of villages in Takum LGA, have been sacked by bandits.
He added that in Ussa LGA, about 70 per cent of villages around Tati axis up to Lissam, the council headquarters have been destroyed by bandits.
Muri said many people have fled to Lissam, Takum, Donga, Jalingo and Abuja.
He said those displaced are facing serious challenges of food and shelter among other basic necessities.
Muri who spoke further in an interview with Arise TV, said following the press conference addressed by his group on Tuesday, the state government had summoned a meeting of all community leaders and fulani community leaders to find solutions to the attacks.
He expressed hope that the meeting would bring an end to the mayhem.
