Taraba crisis: Militiamen withdraw as troops close in

Following the recent attack on residents in some areas of Taraba state, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo ordered the deployment of more military men to restore peace to the affected areas.

The deployment seems to be yielding positive results as the militiamen are reportedly withdrawing from the villages they attacked in Sardauna local government area of the state.

A fresh outbreak of crisis said to be carried out by Mambilla militiamen in the state had led to the deaths of over 100 people and destruction of property.

Osinbajo had also summoned top security officials and Darius Ishaku, governor of the state, for an emergency meeting over the recent attacks, Laolu Akande, his spokesman said.

Osinbajo also ordered that relief materials be delivered to the affected communities of Toffi, Mayo Daga, Mayo Sina, Tamiya, Kwara-Kwara, Tungan Lugere, Timjire, Nguroje and other villages in the hinterlands of Mambilla Plateau.

Hundreds of soldiers were reportedly deployed to the troubled area from Yola, Serti and Takum.

According to Daily Trust, Hassan Dattijo, a resident of Mayo Ndaga, one of the communities attacked, said as if informed of deployment of soldiers, some of the militiamen have withdrawn from the area.

Hassan also disclosed that hundreds of refugees that escaped to Cameroon were received at four border towns by authorities in that country.

He said there was  anurgent need for relief materials because the militiamen had burnt food items and other properties during the attacks.

“The arrival of heavy security was a relief because those trapped could be evacuated and the wounded receive medical attention,” Hassan reportedly said.

Hassan commended Osibanjo for coming to their aid by deploying heavy security in the area.