Unidentified gunmen on Sunday opened fire on Internally displaced persons (IDPs returnees at Tor-Iorshaegh in Wukari local government area of Taraba State and killed four.
An eyewitness, Mr. Donald Meer told our correspondent on the phone that the gunmen suspected to be Jukun militia attacked the village at about 10pm.
Meer who named those killed to include; Godwin Meer, Terlumun Mdooga Mbakpenev Mchivga and Alfred Sylvanus.
Another eyewitness, Ayar Chia said the attackers fled the scene in two vehicles before the arrival of soldiers stationed in the area.
The villagers who fled as a result of the Jukun/Tiv crisis, had returned to the area last Thursday after one year and seven months in IDPs camps in the neighbouring Benue State.
President General, Tiv Cultural and Social Association, Taraba State, Chief Joshua Ayagwa who confirmed the attack and killing of four persons said, the incident has been reported to security agencies.
Ayagwa, called on Governor Darius Ishaku to provide security for the IDPs returnees, saying that the incident was capable of damaging the reputation of his administration.
“The returnees officially wrote to the security agencies in the state before returning and they have a responsibility to protect them,”he said.
When contacted through a text message, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Taraba Command, DSP. David Misal confirmed the attack.
” Yes, is those that returned to their community after been away because of the tiv jukun crisis” DSP David Misal replied.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Tiv Traditional Leaders Council and The Ter Tiv Bali, Zaki David Gbaa has condemned the attack and killing of Tiv IDPs returnees in Wukari local government area.
Gbaa told our correspondent on telephone interview, that the attack and killing was a serious set back to the peace initiative of Governor Darius Ishaku who has been preaching peaceful coexistence.
He called on security agencies to investigate the attack with a view to apprehending the perpetrators of the heinous attack.
“It is unthinkable that the vulnerable IDPs returnees would be attacked and murdered in cold blood when the Governor himself has called on the people who fled the crisis area to return.
“Till date, the people in Suntai in Bali local government and those from Donga and parts of Wukari and Ibi local government areas are yet to return and this is not good for any peace process,” Zaki Gbaa said.
