BY CHUWANG DUNGS
The Chief of Takum, in Takum local government area of Taraba State, Sapiya Gboshi III, has called for calm from his subjects as security agents continue their investigation into the killings of 8 of his kinsmen.
Six travellers were on Monday killed along Takum -Wukari road while a Takum based business man and a farmer were on Thursday morning killed along Takum-Jalingo road.
In a statement signed by secretary of the Traditional Council, Danladi Garbuwa, the monarch fingered a neighbouring local community as responsible for the attacks.
He however, cautioned against reprisal attacks promising that security agencies are working to “unravel the identity of the perpetrators”.
The statement read: “Sapiya Gboshi III has called for calm and restraint from citizens of Takum against the backdrop of recent killings in the area.
“The paramount ruler notes with disdain that the killings have been unwarranted and dastardly, suggesting a wicked and mischievous agenda of some evil people which must be condemned by all.
“These criminal activities are mostly perpetrated within and by criminal elements from neighbouring local government areas, especially Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State”. He said.
He said the sad incident was happening
“when memories of the gruesome killing of the third class chief of Chanchanji and his son are all fresh in our minds”.
He therefore urged the people to always report any suspicious characters or acts to security agencies and for the government to “scale up the operations and deployment of security agencies”.
Similarly, the Lawmaker representing Takum/Donga/Ussa federal constituency of Taraba State, Mark Useni, on Monday called for synergy between Taraba and Benue states in ending banditry, kidnapping, and other insecurity activities that have, in recent years, bedevilled the border areas of the two states.
He said so far, the bandits’ activities have sent several people away from the boundary communities, hindering farmers from freely embarking on their yearly farming activities.
