![Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas [PHOTO CREDIT: Agbu Kefas on Facebook]](https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2024/09/460051791_1010402451096085_151267041139685345_n.jpg?fit=1440%2C960&ssl=1)
Eight persons have been reported abducted and another killed after suspected bandits attacked Jimlari, a community in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State, on Saturday.
Residents of the area told PREMIUM TIMES that the attack happened late Saturday night from about 11:30 p.m. and that the kidnapped victims were all children.
A resident, Ibrahim Hassan, said the attackers arrived in the community in a large number, shooting sporadically.
“We were caught off guard. They were shooting indiscriminately, and because of their sophisticated weapons, we couldn’t mobilise to confront them,” Mr Hassan said.
|
|
|---|
Another resident said his relative was among the abducted persons.
The residents who did not want their name mentioned said the victims were children between the ages of seven and 12 years.
They appealed to the government to rescue the abducted victims and also prevent a recurrence of the incident in the community.
The police spokesperson in Taraba State, Abdullahi Usman, confirmed the abductions to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday.
Mr Usman, a superintendent of police, said the police and other security agencies were working to ensure that the abducted persons are freed unhurt.
READ ALSO: Kwara rice farmers lost N11.5 billion to floods caused by Kainji, Jebba dams – Lawmaker
“Security forces, including the police, military, and other agencies, have been deployed to the area,” he said.
This fresh attack came days after troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), arrested a suspected member of the Boko Haram terrorist group, identified as Gambo Grema, also known as Gamboi, in Mai-Hula, Bali Local Government Area of the state.
According to other security sources, the suspect said under interrogation that his group kidnapped for ransom to finance its operations and to establish a cell in the state.
The suspect further revealed that the syndicate also harbored members of the Islamic State In West Africa Province (ISWAP) deployed from the Timbuktu Triangle to Nigeria.
Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility
At Premium Times, we firmly believe in the importance of high-quality journalism. Recognizing that not everyone can afford costly news subscriptions, we are dedicated to delivering meticulously researched, fact-checked news that remains freely accessible to all.
Whether you turn to Premium Times for daily updates, in-depth investigations into pressing national issues, or entertaining trending stories, we value your readership.
It’s essential to acknowledge that news production incurs expenses, and we take pride in never placing our stories behind a prohibitive paywall.
Would you consider supporting us with a modest contribution on a monthly basis to help maintain our commitment to free, accessible news?
Make ContributionTEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999
![Officers of the Nigerian Police Force [PHOTO CREDIT: Nigeria Police Force]](https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2024/10/460956641_939165991575159_4087248159975952577_n-e1729488130336.jpg?resize=120%2C86&ssl=1)
