Tension as ‘arms-laden’ helicopter lands in Taraba village

A helicopter said to be loaded with arms and ammunition reportedly landed in a village in Taraba state on Saturday.

The chopper was said to have landed at night in Jibu village located near Ibi, in Wukari local government area.

According to PUNCH, Bala Dan-Abu, spokesman of Darius Ishaku, governor of the state, said the arms and ammunition were allegedly meant for a militia group planning to attack the state.

He was quoted to have said: “This system of arms delivery was used prior to the tragic attacks in Agatu communities in Benue state last year, which led to the killings there.

“When it was reported, nothing was done to trace and arrest the owners of the helicopter. That strategy works for them in Agatu and they are using it again today. This may be another planned militia attacks on the people of Taraba in the offing.”

Daniel Adi, chairman of Wukari LGA, was quoted to have said he learnt about the development and had sent his surveillance team to gather intelligence report in the area.

But David Misal, spokesman of the police in the state, denied the report.

“It’s not true,” he said in response to a text message sent by TheCable.

Taraba has experienced some attacks by suspected herdsmen in the last three weeks.

Twenty-nine persons, including a monarch, were said to have been killed when suspected herdsmen raided villages in the state last week.

There has been tension in the state following clashes between herdsmen and villagers.

Editor’s note: This picture was used for illustration