...Inflict injuries on several others

Suspected herdsmen have invaded a Taraba community, killing no fewer than six and inflicted various degrees of injuries on several other villagers.

According to sources, the invasion which occurred in Mararaban Azagwa and Alele villages of Maihula in the Bali Local Government Area, LGA, of the state, took place on Sunday.

One of the traumatized residents of the area, Isah Abdul, informed that trouble started when a man who was drunk and might have taken hard drugs at Maihula market was found dead on his way home, saying "It is an unfortunate development. The relatives of the deceased, who later recovered his corpse, accused the Tiv villagers where the man died of been responsible for the death of their brother.

"There was nothing actually to point to the fact that the man was killed. He might have probably died from complications arising from the alcohol and the drugs he took. But his relatives, who suspected that he was killed by the Tiv villagers, mobilised and started attacking and killing people."

Briefing on the development, Chairman, Taraba State Tiv Traditional Council, Zaki David Gbaa, said "six persons were killed and four others are in critical conditions in the hospital.Those killed include; Aondohemba Salemkaan, Tersuugh Dondo, Terkuma Mbatim, Kumaga Ujam Asaaga Nev and Tersoo Memga."

He condemned the attack and lauded the security agencies for their quick intervention to calm the situation, expressing confidence that the attackers would be arrested by security agencies and prosecuted especially that all of them live in the community and could easily be identified.

State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gambo Kwache, who confirmed the attack said only two corpses were recovered by the police and added that no arrest had been made, but security operatives were combing the area in search of the attackers.