Confusion Over Killings Of 12 In Bali

·         Herders Kick, As Vigilantes Claim They Are Bandits

 

 

The killing of not fewer than 12 Fulani herders in Zude, Pangri district of Bali Local Government, Taraba State have thrown confusion into the area as vigilante groups claimed they are bandits terrorizing the council.

 

The council chairman, Micah D. Dakka, who confirmed the killings via a telephone interview with newsmen said the killings were made possible by the vigilantes.

 

They were confirmed to have met their waterloo in the hands of the vigilante groups, who track down bandits and other criminal elements.

 

He said the efforts of the vigilante finally yielded results when it tracked down the hoodlums, insisting the successful operation will compel the remaining bandits to vacate the state.

 

The bandits, who, according to him, were chased from the neighboring local government council of Gassol, were brought down on their knees in Dogoruwa village of Bali.

 

He also tasked residents not to hesitate to make available to security agencies relevant information that would assist in clamping down on the remaining bandits in the area.

 

But a video which went viral on social media claims those killed where Fulani herders and their cattle rustled by gunmen during a meeting in Zude, Pangri district of Bali Local Government, Taraba State.

 

It was learnt that the gunmen, hiding under the guise of vigilantes, arrived at the Fulani settlement, 30km away from Bali town, and conveyed a meeting with their host.

 

As gathered, the victims, a few minutes after the meeting started, were suddenly surrounded by the gunmen, who killed them and rustled their cow away from the scene.

 

Sources said that the cattle rustled by the gunmen from the community after killing their owners were over 800 cattle.

It was learnt that the victims' bodies were recovered by their relatives and siblings who brought the corpses into the community with commercial motorcycles popularly called achaba .

 

After bodies of victims' arrived Taraba, they were said to have been laid to rest by their family members and other residents in accordance with Islamic rites.

 

The Commissioner of Police for Taraba, CP Abimbola Shokoya, confirmed the incident to hinted that the command has commenced investigations to unravel what transpired before and during the meeting as well as those that were responsible for the attack.

 

He said: "I can tell you that the incident happened yesterday (Sunday) and we commenced investigations on the issue to ascertain the perpetrators and I can assure you that when we are done with the investigations, it would be made public.

 

I want to also appeal to the people to often join hands with the Command and give whatever information they may have to us. We assure them of their safety.

 

"I am also assuring them the command has adopted more novel strategies to ensure that everyone can continue to sleep with their two eyes closed".