Residents of Taraba state continued to count their loses following sporadic attacks from either bandits or herdsmen. ANDREW OJIH writes on the plight of the citizens and how it has disrupted economic activities in the state.
No doubt, the recent attacks culminated in the loss of peace in Taraba state. This has also left many wondering if the state, in the recent past, is progressing in line with Governor Darius Ishaku’s oath of office for the second tenure.
Indeed, the state which has relative enjoyed peace after the 2019 general elections suddenly relapsed into a shadow of itself following scores of death recorded from the recent bandit attacks on innocent citizens of the state.
A few days ago, President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the current wave of attacks on the people of Kona to the extent that he ordered security forces to end the violence immediately and decisively.
The president warned that attacks on innocent people in the name of revenge or whatever motives would not be tolerated by the government.
He explained that no group of people has the right to surround innocent people and unleash murderous violence on them.
He said resorting to self-help is an invitation to anarchy, which in turn will make everyone unsafe.
He informed that in a cycle of violence characterised by revenge and counter-revenge, there are no winners.
He stressed that in a state of permanent hostilities, people undermine not only law and order, but also their own ability to conduct their everyday businesses in peace.
“I always wonder how people can conduct their businesses in the absence of peace and tranquillity because violence ruins everything and leaves the people worse off.
It is difficult to build a virile nation where hate and intolerance dominate the people’s minds. It’s easier to destroy than to build. People should count the economic costs of this violence to their own lives.”
He warned that a situation where community leaders abandon their responsibilities and allow thugs to set the agenda is dangerous for peace and security in the country.
He criticised leaders who publicly preach the virtues of peace but privately promote hate and intolerance which ultimately culminate in violent destruction of lives and property.
The unfortunate incident which led the state government to impose curfew from 4pm to 6am has no doubt reduced the numbers of casualty which would have been greatly recorded in the on-going crisis.
The curfew
Governor Ishaku in a press statement signed by his senior special adviser on media and publicity, Mr Bala Dan Abu and a copy made available to blueprint had said in view of fresh the outbreak of crisis in some communities in Kona and ATC areas near Jalingo in recent times, the state government has decided to impose a curfew on Jalingo and it’s environs.
The statement said the curfew was to commence from 4pm to 6am daily.
The statement noted that it would remain in force until further notice.
The statement noted that security agencies in the state were being directed to enforce the curfew strictly to ensure strict compliance and quick return of peace to the affected communities.
Residents in lamentation
Some of the affected residents in Kona ward area of Jalingo who spoke with Blueprint lamented that the attack by Fulani herdsmen had resulted in many of them flowing from the ancestral homes.
A resident of Kona, Mrs laruba Bakinduse, who narrated her ordeal on the attack by Fulani herdsmen lamented that their area witnessed over 15 death who were mostly youths.
She called on Governor Ishaku to, as a matter of urgency, come to their rescue as the people had flown the area as a result of threat to unleash another mayhem in the area.
Another resident of the area who identified himself as Joshua Kona expressed worried the security agents did not help the situation, as they felt to bring the crisis under control but instead were in a massive arrest of their innocent youths.
He lamented that over 40 youths from Kona have been missing with no information as regards to their where about till date.
When Blueprint visited the affected communities, over 10 residents including worship centres were razed to ashes as rains worth over millions naira were equally destroyed as a result of the crisis.
Further investigation by Blueprint correspondent who has been monitoring the crisis shows that the community has remained a ghost of itself as thousands of women and children have flown the area taking in nearby churches and schools.
Also, a visit to their camp areas reveals that it was a very sympathetic situation as majority of infants are in dire need of medical attention and food as a result of being exposed to unhealthy environment.
Abduction continues
As all these were going on, a few days ago, some gunmen in abducted one Mr Samuel Paul, a cobbler in the state.
Paul, according to investigation, is widely known for his prowess in shoe manufacturing.
The kidnappers, Blueprint gathered that abducted Paul on his farmland in Kundo village in Ardo-Kola.
A resident of the community who appeared like an eye witness said the kidnappers shot sporadically into the air when they invaded the community to give them freedom to carry out their heinous act.
“When the kidnappers stormed, they started shooting sporadically before he was abducted from his farmland in Kundo Village in Ardo-Kola.”
It was gathered that the family of the victim is yet to formally complain to security agencies in the state for fear that he might be killed.
Also, Paul, according to relatives, has been running his shoe manufacturing business for nearly 10 years and has established partnerships with Konga Mall as well as Jumia online platforms in Nigeria.
At the time of writing this story, one cannot ascertain as to whether the suspected Kidnappers has made demand for ransom or not.
His foot wear outfit, Sam P Craft, has become a leading footwear brand in the North-east that’s selling across multiple distribution channels in the country.
The company has employed more than 30 people on its payroll and has trained more than 400 youths on footwear design, product development from corporate, government and individual sponsorships.
