Four feared killed in Taraba, Bauchi clashes as troops neutralise terrorists in Borno State

No fewer than three fresh persons have been feared dead in the raging war between the Jukun and Tiv ethnic groups of Taraba State.

Chairman of Wukari Local Council, Adi Daniel, confirmed that the deceased were of Jukun extraction and got killed in an ambush.

However, President General of the Tiv Social Cultural Association, Goodman Dahida, exonerated his kinsmen of the attack, while one person was slain and several others injured at a durbar to mark the end of the Ramadan fast in Bauchi State.

The 14 injured people are currently receiving medical attention at the   Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Hospital in the capital.

Trouble began at about 11:30am when a group of hunters clashed during the procession involving district heads of Bauchi Emirate who were on their way to pay homage to Governor Bala Mohammed at Government House.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Kamal Datti Abubakar, who confirmed the incident in a statement, stated: “In the process (during the procession), groups of hunters that were following the district heads of Darazo local government area and that of Duguri had a clash. As a result, one Auwalu Sadau from Darazo lost his life after being shot with a Dane gun while Usama Musa of Duguri district, Alkaleri LGA and Zakari Suleiman of Darazo LGA with 12 others sustained injuries and are now receiving treatment at ATBUTH.”

He said the command’s tactical commanders of Operation Puff Adder restored normalcy and arrested 55 suspects and recovered exhibits, including 46 machetes, 13 knives, 15 daggers (Gario), a Dane gun and 13 bamboo sticks.

Abubakar said the police was investigating the case.

Also yesterday, the troops of 143 Battalion of the Nigerian Army yesterday neutralised dozens of terrorists during an ambush in the Izge-Kubu axis of Borno State.

Military spokesman, Col. Sagir Musa, in a statement in Maiduguri, also announced the recovery of four AK 47 rifles, two Hilux pick-ups and ammunition.

He said the insurgents had planned to attack the 114 Task Force Battalion at Izge, Gwoza council area of the state.

According to him, the terrorists fell for the plot that led to the death of an unconfirmed number of them.

The spokesman said there were no casualties on the part of the army.

Musa urged the public to be more forthcoming with useful for security agencies for the seamless execution of the counter-terrorism fight in the troubled North East geo-political zone.