Soldiers, policemen take over communities over killing of 12 people by Fulani herdsmen

By Emeka Mamah
Armed soldiers and riot policemen have now
taken over Coromo, Dan- Anacha and Mutum
Biyu communities in Gassol Local Government
Area of Taraba State where herdsmen
reportedly killed 12 people including seven
men, two women and children, and seriously
wounded about 18 others seriously.
Altogether, 13 houses were burnt.
Information about the attack was sketchy, but
it was said that the Fulani herdsmen
reportedly launched the attack Friday night,
following a long standing land dispute over
farm lands.
The Fulani herdsmen reportedly stormed the
three communities in the night and started
attacking Tivs who had come back to farm on
their lands.
It was said that hundreds of the natives of
the area had fled to other neighbouring
villages while others ran to the Gassol B Police
Divisional headquarters for their safety.
As at the time of this report, Tiv people were
fleeing the local government for fear of
further attacks, despite the presence of
armed security men.
This is just as there was tension in the Fulani
herdsmen settlements over fear of reprisal
attack by the Tivs who live in both Benue and
Taraba States.
Efforts to reach the leader of the Tiv
Community in the area, Joel Adaji was not
successful as his mobile phone did not go
through after several trials.
Reliable sources at the police headquarters in
Jalingo confirmed the incident, saying that
armed soldiers and policemen were patrolling
the affected communities to ensure
orderliness.