Gun men
By Ola Wale
Gunmen opened fire on a group of returning internally displaced persons in Tse Ajogo village, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, leaving 17 people dead and many more injured. The attack occurred early Wednesday morning, around 6 a.m., as families were setting up temporary shelters after fleeing earlier violence in the region. Witnesses described a chaotic scene of panic and smoke as the assailants, armed with rifles, sprayed the area before setting several houses ablaze.
Local officials said the attackers were believed to be members of a tribal militia that has been active in the area for months. The gunmen arrived in pickup trucks, blocked the main road leading to the village, and began shooting indiscriminately at anyone in sight. In addition to the fatalities, eight people were reported to have sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the nearest health centre in Wukari for treatment.
The Taraba State Police Command confirmed that a joint security operation has been launched to track down the perpetrators. Spokesperson for the command, DSP Abubakar Ali, urged residents to remain calm and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. He added that reinforcements have been deployed to the village to secure the area and prevent further attacks.
The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of IDPs who are trying to return to their homes after years of displacement due to communal clashes and banditry. Community leaders in Taraba have called on the state and federal governments to provide better protection for vulnerable populations and to address the root causes of the ongoing violence.
In response to the tragedy, the governor of Taraba State, Dr Agnes Sani, expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and promised immediate assistance, including medical care for the injured and temporary shelter for those left homeless. She also announced a committee to investigate the attack and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The attack comes just weeks after a similar assault on IDPs in the same locality, raising fears that the region could slip back into a cycle of reprisal violence. Human rights groups have called for increased humanitarian aid and a more robust security presence to safeguard civilians caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict. The situation remains tense as authorities work to restore order and provide support to the affected community.
