A tragic incident unfolded in Taraba State as vigilantes launched a deadly attack on a bus, leading to the deaths of seven passengers and leaving several others missing. The bus driver, Jimen Angera, recounted the harrowing experience, stating that the attack occurred at Gamkwe village in Mararaba-Baisa of Donga local government area while en route to Maihula.
In a phone interview with LEADERSHIP, Angera described the armed vigilantes, who were heavily armed with guns, machetes, and other weapons, as they ambushed the vehicle. Initially, 15 passengers were taken hostage by the assailants, while Angera, the bus conductor, Mpuuga Mbaave, and another person managed to escape.
Angera detailed the horrifying ordeal: “I loaded 18 passengers from Zaki/Biam. After Mararaba, I noticed many people in vigilante group uniforms. Sensing danger, I stopped. A villager informed me about the situation, urging me to proceed, but as I approached, the vigilantes began attacking passengers, shouting to kill them.”
Forced out of the vehicle, Angera and his conductor sustained machete wounds as they managed to flee, leaving the passengers at the mercy of the attackers.
Confirming the incident, Chairman Ezra Voka of the Donga Local Government Area disclosed his involvement in the search for the missing victims, currently underway in the nearby forest.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police David Iloyonomon confirmed the discovery of seven bodies in the bush during a patrol aimed at quelling a crisis between Ichen and Tiv communities. Trouble escalated on March 12 when Ichen youths reported the disappearance of a pastor and a church member. Subsequently, decomposing bodies were found, triggering reprisal attacks against Tiv residents.
“On Wednesday, during patrol, our men found seven dead bodies, including five women, a man, and a baby,” Iloyonomon stated, indicating that the bodies had been evacuated to the police station.