TIV Cultural and Social Association (TCSA) in Taraba State has raised the alarm over a brutal attack on Tiv commuters, which resulted in the death of seven persons, including women and children.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday in Yankee Village of Donga Local Council, has sent shockwaves throughout the region. Witnesses reported that the victims, who were travelling from Zaki Biam to Maihula in an 18-seater bus, fell into an ambush along the Gankwe Mararaba road about 3:30 pm.
The attackers, according to a vigilante group, were said to have stopped the bus, ordered the passengers to disembark, and killed no fewer than seven of them.
Expressing dismay over the tragedy, President General of TCSA in Taraba, James Baka, condemned the act as grave injustice and called for swift action from the authorities. He emphasised the urgent need for resettlement efforts for the displaced Tiv community, since 2019, to prevent further bloodshed.
The attack, which also claimed the lives of students, has sparked outrage and demands for justice. TCSA urged the state government and security agencies to expedite efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the dignified burial of the victims.
At press time, the police command had yet to identify the victims’ origin, but confirmed the recovery of seven bodies from the scene. Whereabouts of the remaining passengers remained unknown at the time of filing this report.
