Taraba Tragedy: Seven Travellers Found Dead, 15 Missing in Vigilante Attack

The Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the grim discovery of seven bodies of travellers in a forest, following an ambush on an 18-seater bus at Gamkwe village within the Donga Local Government Area of the state. The bus, loaded with passengers from Zako Biam in Benue State heading to Maihula in the Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, was attacked by a group believed to be vigilante members mourning the death of one of their own. The assailants, in a fit of anger, targeted the bus, alleging that the passengers, who were Tivs, were responsible for the death of the vigilante member.

Following the attack, 15 passengers, including women and children, were reported missing. In response to rising tension between the Ichen and Tiv ethnic groups in the Donga Local Government Area, the State Police Commissioner, CP David Iloyonomon, stated that his men discovered the seven bodies in the bush during a patrol. The recovered bodies included five women, a baby, and a man.

The commissioner explained that the incident escalated when Ichen youths from Mararaba reported the disappearance of a pastor and a church member while en route to the church. The youths later found the decomposing bodies of the missing persons and began attacking Tiv residents in the town. The police intervened to rescue some Tiv people and maintain peace in the area.

CP Iloyonomon emphasized the need to maintain law and order, stating that the corpses have been evacuated to the police station. The police commissioner's statement shed light on the tragic events unfolding in the Donga Local Government Area and the efforts being made to restore calm and security in the region.