Seven Killed, Scores Missing As Gunmen Attack Villages In Taraba State

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in the early hours of Monday attacked some villages in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba, killing at least seven persons with scores still missing.

Local residents said the attackers first attacked and bu.rnt Ayiase village in Takum Local Government before heading for Tse-Gbaun and Gaza villages in Donga, Local Government.

An eyewitness said that the gunmen killed Msugh Gaza and three of his sons in Gaza village, while the other three were killed in Tse-Gbaun and Ayiase villages.

“The attack happened in the early hours of today (Monday), and the area is not safe as I talk to you, as such we cannot search for the other missing relations. But we have so far, recovered seven dead bodies,” - he said.

Police spokesman Joseph Kwaji said efforts to reach the DPO of Donga for details of the attack failed as his number was sw!tched off.

But an aide of the state acting governor, Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi said, the acting governor has directed that military personnel be deployed to the area to maintain peace.

There have been threats of attack in the area by the Fulani herdsmen and many residents have fled the area for fear of attack.

Donga local government is one of the areas that run-off elections is to hold this Saturday in the state and the attack has led to exodus of people from the area.