The Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the killing of six military personnel and a mobile police officer during a bloody clash between Kutep and Fulani herdsmen at Tati village in Takum Local Government Area of the state.
Spokeperson of the Taraba Police command, DSP Usman Abdullahi, who disclosed this in Jalingo on Wednesday May 11, said that an Army officer, Lt Col Eminike is also missing.
He said Eminike was the commander leading operation at the troubled area but was declared missing during the operation.
According to the PPRO, Kutep and Fulani militia were responsible for the killings of the military personnel and the mobile police.
He said more soldiers and policemen were sent to the area to restore peace while search for the missing army officer is being intensified.
Abdullahi said the number of people killed during the clash could not be immediately ascertained.
According to him, militia from both sides have engaged one another in bloody clash over the weeks and the situation worsened on Tuesday, leading to deployment of more soldiers and police.
“The missing Army officer and six military personnel killed were from 93 battalion Takum,” Abdullahi added.
Meanwhile, the police officer killed in the clash has been identified as Sergeant Godwin Joji.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the village in large number, around 10pm on Tuesday, May 10.
They were said to have engaged the troops of 93 battalions in a fierce gun battle. But the gunmen overpowered the troops, killing six soldiers, and abducting one commanding officer –a lieutenant colonel.
The army announced Dauda Tata (7NA/44/4046), Yusuf Salihu (95NA/40/5031), Ndubuise Okonkwo (96NA/42/6911), Abdullahi Ibrahim, Emmanuel Jerry (14NA/72/14051) and Sani Isa as the casualties.
Military sources said the gunmen also ambushed and attacked troop reinforcement deployed from Marraraba, but that the troops carried out anti-ambush drills to fight their way out. Two gunmen were reportedly killed while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 19 rounds of 7.62mm(SP), one pistol, seven rounds of 9mm ammo, one locally-made gun, three MCs, charms and a sum of N15,120.
