Victims Of Donga Killing Abandoned In Hospital, Cannot Pay Bills- Tiv Clergymen

·         Say Police Not Investigating Murder 

 The Forum of the Clergy of Tiv Extraction (FCTE), Bali-Gashaka Local Government Councils said government authorities have abandoned victims who sustained injuries but  escaped during an attack on an 18-seater bus at Gamkwe, a village in Mararaban-Baissa of Donga Local Government Area of the state at the hospital.

 

Addressing a press conference in Jalingo, Chairman CTEF- Bali-Gashaka Ven. Nathaniel Saawua said the victims were admitted at the General Hospital, Bali.

"One person has died there and some of them have little or nothing to foot the bills of the treatments they are receiving, this is even as some have resigned to fate as they have nothing that will sustain their Stay at the hospital."

He lamented that not fewer than nine people were killed, "and it appears to us as if nobody is bothered because no one family of the victims is contacted by the authority, no official visitation or press release by either Donga or Bali Local Government Councils."

 

 

Ven. Nathaniel Saawua  while appreciating  the efforts of the men of Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Bali Division to ensured that the corpses of the deceased were recovered, said the forum is not aware of any further investigation into the killing.

"We are surprised that no official investigation has been ordered by the authorities, at least we are not aware of any such."

Read Full Press Statement Below

PRESS BRIEFING ORGANISE BY THE FORUM OF THE CLERGY OF TIV EXTRACTION (FCTE), BALI-GASHAKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS, TARABA STATE ON 23RD MARCH, 2024 AND PRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN, TIV CLERGY FORUM, TARABA STATE, VEN. NATHANIEL SAAWUA 

 

Gentlemen of the press 

It is with a heavy heart that we come forward to address you this morning on the developments that follow the recent gruesome and barbaric murder of Rev. Abah Jacob and his wife, Mirrian Abah Jacob alongside several other persons by Ichen Militia Youth on Wednesday 13th March, 2024 in the morning, at Mararaba in Donga Local Government Council, Taraba State.

 

Rev. Abah Jacob, until his murder, was a pastor with The African Church, Kyado Archdeaconry, posted to The African Church Adi Parish in Bali Local Government Council, Taraba State.

 

He left his station on Hajue bike with his wife, Mirrian and son, Kumator, (a sucking baby of less than a year) on Wednesday 13th March, 2024 as early as 4:00 am for his home town, Tor Ayaba, Ukum Local Government Council, Benue State. The journey he would neither reach his destination, nor return. Him and his wife were gruesomely murdered in Mararaba Town and their bodies dumped at Mount Zion, a private school within Mararaba. 

 

The pastor was not just killed but his body was burnt beyond recognition. As we speak, there is no information about his son, whether he is alive or dead. Even when we went to recover his corpse for burial, these militias still came with guns to attack, if not because of the security presence. This goes to say that this murderous act carried out on innocent commuters by the militias was intentional. 

 

The murderous incidence that claimed our beloved pastor's life and his wife also claimed the lives of not fewer than seven (7) other harmless, innocent Tiv commuters in addition.

These harmless innocent Tiv commuters were ambushed and murdered by Mararaba militia Youth in their cold blood between Gamkwe and Mararaba, on Donga - Mararaba road between 12th and 13th March, 2024 

For the purpose of clarity, the following are the names of those who were murdered in the incidence and their respective locations:

 

Michael Ukari (m) from Sabon Dale,  

 

Terundu Michael (f) from Sabon Dale, 

 

Terna Orya (m) from Iorashe, Sansani and 

 

Erdoo Aluga (f) - from Gazabu 

 

Others were: 

 

Rev. Jacob Abal (m) from The African Church Adi, Bali. 

 

Mirrian Abah Jacob (f) from The African Church Adi, Bali, 

 

Jacob Ternenge (m) - from Ugbayongo, Pangri, 

 

Msega Joseph Mvihi (m) - from Ugbayongo, Pangri, 

 

Aondofa Member (f) - from Ugbayongo, Pangri. 

 

 

Gentlemen of the press, this unfortunate incidence has left us with many unanswered questions. We are pondering with a simple fact that there is no war and why would innocent commuters be ambushed and mercilessly murdered in their cold blood just like that without provocation?

 

Again, the pastor and his wife's corpses were recovered within Mararaba Town, that means they were murdered inside the town. Where were the security agencies that up till now, no arrest has been made?

 

Also, not fewer than nine people were killed, and it appears to us as if nobody is bothered because no one family of the victims is contacted by the authority, no official visitation or press release by either Donga or Bali Local Government Councils. Why?

 

Are Tiv people not having the same fundamental human rights as other tribes in Taraba State? Don't we have freedom of movement? Don't we have right to life? Why would all these be voilated and authorities would say nothing?

We most sincerely appreciate the efforts of the men of Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Bali Division who ensured that the corpses of the deceased were recovered, but then we are surprised that no official investigation has been ordered by the authorities, at least we are not aware of any such. Why?

 

These and many other humanitarian issues regarding the unfortunate incidence are begging for answers and we hope the people concern will listen to our plea soon. 

 

It is most pathetic to know that those who sustained injuries but divinely escaped, were admitted at the General Hospital, Bali. One person has died there and some of them have little or nothing to foot the bills of the treatments they are receiving, this is even as some have resigned to fate as they have nothing that will sustain their Stay at the hospital 

While we draw the attention of the authorities concern to this pathetic and unfortunate situation, we want to call on spirited individuals who are touched by this incidence to come to the aid of these victims and the bereaved by providing succour to them to alleviate some of their physical and emotional pains 

 

Ven. Nathaniel Saawua

(Chairman CTEF- Bali-Gashaka)