Residents of at least 15 local government communities in Bali, Taraba StateThey have fled their homes after being attacked by terrorists, known locally as bandits.
Residents said bandits have been attacking communities in the area since August. Witnesses said more than 40 people were kidnapped or missing after the attack.
Bali is located in the central area of the state and about 161 kilometers from Jalingo, the state capital.
Villagers said criminals often hide in the surrounding forests and mountains to launch attacks and then hide in them.
Some looted communities are Garbatau, Mirimidankol, Gidan Hamidu, Dangiwa and Nayinawa.
Others are Garin Gima, Bantaguru, ShaDussa, Garin Bose, Mailabari and Kaigama, among several other communities.
Also on Wednesday, September 6, they attacked Garba Chede, a large settlement in the town; According to residents, many are still missing, including women and children.
Residents said the increasing number of kidnappings in the area is crippling commercial and agricultural activities in many of the LGA’s villages.
A resident of Bali city, Sani Ibrahim, told Newslodge that due to recurring attacks, most communities fled their homes and bandits are now living in those communities.
“This is the current situation in Bali. We are in a terrible situation. Even last Wednesday they attacked Garba Chede, where most of the displaced people are taking shelter, and kidnapped many, including women and children.
“We can’t go to the farm because if they find you there, they will kidnap you or kill you. Life has become completely miserable. We call on the relevant authorities to come to our aid.
One of the villagers of Garbatau community, Musa Mainoma, said residents of the affected villages have left the area and are now taking shelter in the towns of Garba Chede, Sunkani and Pamamga.
He said many of those who fled are still missing and parents are still searching for their missing children.
He said the bandits kidnapped many villagers, stole livestock and also looted shops in all the villages they attacked.
A resident of Garba Chede explained that more than three thousand people who fled farming communities during the attacks are now taking refuge in Garba Chede town.
He said residents of Garba Chede town offered free accommodation to the victims.
The head of Gamfurum district, Muhammed Gamfurum, confirmed to journalists that 15 communities in the town are now under the control of bandits.
Gamfurum said the bandits are in the communities living and operating freely.
According to him, hundreds of people from the communities are in the custody of the kidnappers, while the lucky ones who escaped from the areas took shelter in Garba-Chede, the administrative headquarters of the chiefdom.
He said he narrowly escaped with his wives and children.
“They tried to kidnap me and members of my family separately, but I escaped and was forced to move out of the area with my family.
He said: “We have no choice but to flee our cities and towns to safe areas because the bandits are big and armed with AK47 weapons.
“The bandits treat the kidnapped people like slaves; They are chained and forced to carry loads. whenever they move to another base or location.”
“I call on the relevant authorities to, as a matter of urgency, establish mechanisms to address the situation, as the bandits did last week, kidnapping many people, including women and children.” He said.
He revealed that six victims from the communities were released after paying a ransom of N7 million.
Confirming the development, Taraba State Police Command spokesperson Abdullahi Usman said the command has set up a joint patrol to arrest the situation.
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He said that the joint patrol is made up of military, police, hunters and security guards.
Usman said the team would soon expel the bandits who have been making life unbearable for the people.
He said: “Last Friday the police commissioner recruited more men to join that operation. He briefed them at headquarters before recruiting them, and more men will also be sent to reinforce the operation.”