Along the Benue-Taraba axis 15 individuals, including women and children, have been reported missing following an attack by armed men suspected to be vigilantes on an 18-seater bus traveling from Zaki/Biam in Benue State to Maihura in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State on Tuesday. The incident occurred at Gankwe village along the Donga-Mararaban-Baissa road in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Narrating the harrowing incident, the bus driver, Mr. Mpuuga Mbaave, who sustained machete wounds but narrowly escaped death, recounted how the armed men in vigilante attire attacked the bus. According to Mbaave, as he approached Mararaba, he noticed several people in vigilante uniform, prompting him to park the vehicle. A passing villager informed him that the vigilantes were there to retrieve the bodies of two members killed by kidnappers.
As Mbaave cautiously proceeded, the vigilantes began shouting, "kill all of them," claiming that the passengers, predominantly Tiv people, were responsible for their members' deaths. They forced the passengers out of the bus, ordering them to lie facedown. Despite initially refusing to exit, Mbaave eventually jumped out of the bus along with his conductor, both sustaining machete wounds as they fled for safety.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Donga Local Government Council, Hon. Ezra Voka, revealed that he was actively involved in the search for the missing individuals within the nearby forest. "Please, my friend, I am already in the bush in search of the missing people. We cannot talk much now till when I get more information from here," Voka stated.
