The Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku, has condemned the recent attacks by gunmen in some communities, as well as the killing of a pastor with the CRCN, Emmanuel Bileya and his wife. He, therefore, ordered security agencies to go after those responsible.

The deputy governor, Haruna Manu, in a press briefing stated that “government condemns in very strong terms these barbaric attacks on individuals and communities in the state and warns the attackers to desist forthwith”.

“The Taraba State Government is greatly dismayed by the recent attacks by militia groups on Maigoge and Tunga in Bali Local Government Area of the state resulting in the death of innocent people.

“During the attacks, many houses were burnt including those of a village head and a youth leader.

“These attacks came only a few days after the killing, also by a militia group, of a pastor of CRC-N Church in Mararaba, Donga LGA, – Emmanuel Bileya and his wife, Juliana while they were working on their farm.

“His Excellency, Gov Darius Dickson Ishaku has consequently directed that security be beefed up in communities that are being targeted by the attackers to guarantee the safety of lives and property. He has also directed security agencies to go after members of these militia gangs responsible for the attacks and killings and ensure that they are brought to book.

“Government is determined not only to stop the militia attacks but to ensure lasting peace among the various groups in Central and Southern Taraba communities. This task will be accomplished soon and the government wishes to appeal to all well-meaning people in the state to support the on-going peace efforts”, he concluded.