By JOHN MKOM, Jalingo
Seventeen internally displaced persons who had just returned home to rebuild their lives were killed at dawn on Wednesday when suspected militia stormed Tse Ajogo village in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The early morning attack, which also left eight people severely injured and seven houses razed, threw the quiet community—located about four kilometres from Rafin Kada—into chaos for the second time in less than two months.
Eyewitnesses who narrowly escaped the assault told Business Day that several villagers were still unaccounted for.
According to them, the attackers arrived around 6:00 a.m. and opened fire indiscriminately.
Bernard Atom Atoo Tyokongu and Mwuese Gesa, both residents of Tse Ajogo, recounted the horrifying moments.
“The attackers invaded our village located 4 kilometers away from Rafin Kada town in Wukari LGA of Taraba, and started shooting at anyone on sight. So far, we have discovered 17 of our fellow returning IDPs dead.
“Many people are still missing. Eight people have been confirmed injured and we are preparing to take them to a nearby hospital,” one of them said.
Mr. Aondowase Tor-Orshi, Chairman of the Tiv Cultural and Social Association, Wukari Chapter, also confirmed the assault on the resettled Tiv community.
However, efforts to reach the Taraba State Police Command for official confirmation proved unsuccessful, as the PPRO, Lashen James, did not take calls hours after the incident.
The tragic attack has deepened fears among displaced families hoping to return home, raising fresh concerns about security in rural communities across the state.
