Soldier killed, two missing as gunmen attack troops escorting farmers in Taraba

One soldier was killed, and two others are missing after gunmen attacked Nigerian Army troops escorting farmers in Takum LGA of Taraba state.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the attack occurred on Monday during a security operation in a bush area of Takum, a location prone to clashes involving militia elements.

Quoting a security source, Makama said the soldiers, from a special forces unit, and some police officers were deployed to provide security for Tiv farmers harvesting their farm produce when they were attacked by the gunmen suspected to be local militia in Taraba state.

The report said soldiers cordoned off the venue of the Miyetti Allah executives’ election at the FGR Samsokwa Hall, in Takum, and arrested male officials of the association.  Though it is not immediately clear if those arrested were involved in the attack.

This incident is one of a number of attacks by suspected militia in Taraba.

On December 10, at least 17 people were reportedly killed by suspected Jukun militia who launched a coordinated attack on returning internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Tse Ajogo village, Wukari LGA of Taraba.

At least eight others were injured during the attack.

The attackers invaded the village at about 6am, firing sporadically at residents and IDPs, and set seven houses on fire during the attack.

Sources familiar with the incident said the attack was the second on returning IDPs in Tse Ajogo within a two-month period.