In what looks like reprisal attack, five persons have been killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Murbai community of Ardo kola local government area in Taraba state.
Two Fulani herdsmen were earlier alleged to have been killed by suspected Kona militias a situation that spurred tension in the area.
The attack is said to have started at Yowai community under Jalingo local government area but later escalated to Yelwa in Abare community of Ardo-kola local government area at about 7:00 PM.
According locals, the herdsmen who were riding on motorcycles struck at Murbai community which is under Ardo-Kola local government area , shooting sporadically leading to the death of five persons with many houses burnt, ‘’ possible on a revenge mission, because even two days ago, two fulani nomads were reported to have been killed by Kona people.
‘’You know them (Fulani herdsmen), they don’t forgive, and that I am sure could be the reason for this attack,’’ a commercial bus driver who ply Ardo Kola-Jalingo roads has said.
An eye witness Francis Nomiri whose father was killed said, ‘’ I saw all what happened with my naked eyes,’’ alleging further that some were in the market while others were resting at home.
‘’ only for an alarm to be raised that the Fulani’s have surrounded us with three persons per motorcycle shooting and in the course of escaping t five victims were killed by stray bullets.
‘’ And after shooting sporadically and burning down houses in murbai, they proceeded to other villages with same mission, targeting the kona people.
‘’ One of the victims is a blind man who was seated under a tree and was unfortunately shot death.
‘’Two persons are now receiving treatment in hospital, and remains of the deceased have since been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre Jalingo,’’ said Nomiri.
However when contacted the state Commissioner of police Alkasim Sanusi, confirmed that the attack,’’ already our men and other security operatives were deployed to the affected communities to restore normalcy.
‘’ Investigation is on, to bring to book those behind the attacks,’’ said he.
