By Salim Yunusa
No fewer than 12 people were killed on Thursday in Gassol and two others in Bali local government areas of Taraba following attacks by unknown criminals.
A community leader, Mr. Orkurga Terkimbi, said 12 bodies were recovered around the bushes of Ijever near Sabon-Gida in Gassol Local Government Area.
This is even as two people were killed and 11 others injured on same Thursday night by unknown criminals in Pangari community in Bali Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that three persons who sustained injuries in the attack in Gassol are receiving treatment in a private hospital in Sabon-Gida, while the 11 that sustained injuries in the attack in Pangari are receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Bali.
It was gathered that the incident has made many people, mostly Tiv farmers, to flee to Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, on Friday.
The people, who are said to be sheltered at NKST Church, Mayo-Dassa and NKST Church, Kufai, among other locations, said the attackers sacked Pangari, Sansani communities in Bali and Numbe, Ijever and Sindelde.
Mr. Matthew Baki, Chairman of Tiv Cultural and Social Association, Bali Local Government chapter, told journalists that two people were killed on Thursday night and 11 others wounded.
“The sunknown criminals attacked Pangari at about 2:00 a.m. and killed two people while 11 others were wounded. This morning, the police in Bali came and evacuated the corpse and took the injured to General Hospital, Bali.
“Many people are fleeing the area now. The number of people living the area has overwhelmed motorists. Some women and children are fleeing by foot and heading towards Jalingo and Mutum Biyu axes,” he said.
The Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, DSP. David Misal, also confirmed the attacks.
