Taraba State Government has said that cattle rustlers from the neighbouring Republic of Cameroon are responsible for the recent attacks in parts of Gassol and Bali Local Government Areas of the State.
Recall that controversy had in October 2022 trailed the killing of 12 people in Zudai village, near Dogon-Ruwa community in the Bali Local Government Area of the state.
A Fulani leader, Ardo Bello, had said that the assailants went to the community wearing uniforms and posing as members of a local vigilante group before unleashing mayhem.
While the Caretaker Chairman of Bali Local Government, Micah Dakka, confirmed that vigilante group members operating in the area killed 12 bandits, the chairman of the vigilante group in the area, Mr Gidado Sabuzy, disassociated the group from carrying out the attack.
However, the state government in a statement released on Thursday said the attackers were from the neighbouring republic of Cameroon, contrary to insinuations that the attacks on the two local government areas were carried out by suspects from the state.
The government also absolved itself of allegations of sponsoring the crisis against a particular ethnic group in the state to cause confusion.
Lois Emmanuel, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, at a press conference in Jalingo explained that the allegation was the handiwork of mischief makers to cause unnecessary hatred and confusion in the state.
The Commissioner explained that the problem was a case of cattle rustling from the neighbouring Republic of Cameroon, who stormed several communities in the area, with the aim of making the state ungovernable.
She added that the attention of the Taraba State Government has been drawn to the ongoing rumours and mischievous interpretation being given to the current security challenges in Gassol and Bali Local Government areas of the state, stressing that it is the handiwork of mischief makers.
The Commissioner further explained that those behind the unhealthy development have tried all available wicked tricks to label the problem in these areas as a crisis targeted at a particular ethnic group, saying that the government’s findings indicate that the problem is a case of cattle rustling.
Further information available to the government, according to her indicates that cattle rustlers from neighbouring Cameroon invaded several communities in the areas and are threatening lives and properties, especially cattle belonging to the indigenous inhabitants.
The state government noted that the development has attracted resistance from the local inhabitants, stressing that it is not an inter-ethnic or intra-ethnic rivalry but the two local governments are among the most naturally endowed parts of Taraba State in agricultural produce and have a natural attraction to foreigners and Nigerians seeking comfort and career in farming and other business activities.
“Criminals and social misfits are not left out in the rush to these communities for economic self-sustenance. In their case, they frequently exceed or outrightly abuse the boundaries of hospitality and accommodation offered by the indigenous people.
”The Internally Displaced Persons’ camps have not been spared by these visiting marauders who sometimes kill, maim and rape women. The attempt by the indigenous people to checkmate these trends is largely part of the issues currently at stake in the areas,” the statement added.