Gunmen Kidnap Toddler, Five Others In Taraba

No fewer than six persons travelling from Wukari to Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State have been abducted by suspected bandits in the early hours of Tuesday.

The acting Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Leha Reform, confirmed the incident to Channels Television via a telephone interview.

According to him, the incident took place at Chanchanji, a suburb of Takum local government area where the bandits mounted a roadblock.

Leha said that five of the abducted travellers included two females, three males and a toddler.

“Earlier, we had no confirmation about the said abduction, but at the moment, I can confirm to you that we received information about the kidnap of a toddler and five other travellers,” she said.

“The five other travellers are basically two women and three men returning from Wukari and headed to Takum LGA, a neighbouring LGA in southern Taraba.

“They mounted a roadblock and unfortunately the vehicle conveying them was trapped in the process.

“These tactics are rather an act of cowardice and the commissioner of police, as well as the command, is not resting on its oars.”

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He stated that on the receipt of the information, combined security operatives were dispatched to the scene and have launched an investigation into the matter with a view to unravelling those behind the act.

The Takum Wukari expressway has been a soft spot for criminals unleashing mayhem on travellers, especially during the Tiv Vs Jukun Crisis.

Only recently 27 travellers were also abducted on the same road with 23 released and four others still in captivity.

It was also on the same road that a Catholic priest was killed and burnt beyond recognition in 2019.