The Taraba State Police Command has arrested a suspected bomb manufacturer who also is a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group linked to three bomb explosions recorded in the state this year.
The suspect was arrested in his house which he uses as a factory at Tella town within Gassol Local Government area of the state.
He was apprehended with different arms, ammunition, explosives, and devices for manufacturing bombs.
Authorities say the suspect who is from Zamfara State, and is being held at the Taraba Police Command in Jalingo, is also a member of a kidnapping syndicate terrorizing, Niger, Kogi and Taraba states for more than a year now.
On April 19th and 22nd this year two improvised explosive devices exploded killing no fewer than 10 persons in two separate attacks in Taraba State, both at drinking joints.
About 18 days after, another explosion occurred at the headquarters of six brigade Nigeria army located in the state capital.
Acting on credible intelligence, the police swung into action leading to the arrest of the bomb manufacturer.
Parading the 37 year old native, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Sokoya revealed that the police have sprayed their dragnet and soon operatives will capture two other suspects who are currently at large even as investigations continue.
A member of the Taraba State APC governorship primary electoral committee has been shot and is in critical condition at a hospital.
Chairman of the Committee, Lawrence Onuchukwu, informed journalists of the development at the Police Headquarters in Jalingo, the state capital on Thursday night.
A protest had erupted after some youths in Jalingo accused the governorship primary committee chairman of presenting fake result sheets for the primary when there was none in the state.
The protesting youths also alleged that the state had difficult-to-reach terrains such as Sardauna Local Government Area which takes seven to nine hours to reach, especially the Mambilla Plateau.
Consequently, they argued that it was not possible to conduct elections in one day and get the results.
The youths are calling on Onuchukwu to address the press on the true situation of things and declare that the primary election failed to hold.
Trouble had initially started after the primary committee said the direct mode of primary would be used for the exercise instead of the indirect or consensus mode that had earlier been communicated to the state chapter of the party by the national headquarters.
Consequently, the Commissioner of Police in the state invited all aspirants to the Command’s headquarters in Jalingo, in a bid to avert a breach of the peace.
In reaction to the intervention of the police, many party supporters occupied the Command’s headquarters awaiting the outcome of expected talks.
A file photo of Taraba state Governor, Darius Ishaku.
Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku and his deputy Haruna Manu have scaled the hurdles of the Peoples Democratic Party’s screening committee to contest for senatorial positions in their separate senatorial districts.
The Governor is the sole candidate of the party to contest the position in the southern senatorial district of the state, while his deputy is to contest alongside other aspirants for the central senatorial district.
Speaking at the government house where the duo were presented with their provisional clearance certificate, chairman of the screening committee, Salihu Suleiman, lauded the peaceful disposition of all aspirants in the process.
According to him, Taraba state is a mini Nigeria and their job was done diligently and thorough.
”Your Excellencies, we were to commence issuing the certificates yesterday, but traditionally you are the leader of the party, hence our decision to start the issuance with you first before others who were screened also,” Suleiman said.
”I must confess that we have been to other states of Nigeria for a similar task like this, but Taraba state is the best and rancour free.”
The state chairman of the party, Agbu Kefas, appreciated them for the hitch-free exercise which he said is unique and urged other parties to emulate.
The state Governor Darius Ishaku while receiving his certificate appreciated the committee for a job well done for the party.
Ishaku revealed that PDP is the only party that Taraba state has as it has done a lot for the state since 1991.
”PDP in Taraba state is the only party we have and it has done tremendously well for the state since 1991,” he said.
”I came in 2015 and I am still on and you can see the developmental strides, from the airport, to the road dualization which is a federal government road but its been dualized by the state government.”
”We want to assure the party headquarters that we will deliver PDP far more than we did before and we will do our best to make sure that the new crop of people coming are people who will work harder than us by putting in their best for the state.”
On his part, the deputy Governor, Haruna Manu while receiving his certificate expressed satisfaction with the process.
Manu assured his senatorial district of quality representation and overwhelming dividends of democracy if elected.
”I am assuring my people greater and quality representation this is because PDP has always delivered and Taraba state has been ruled by the PDP since its creation.
”Dividends of democracy will be brought to their door steps and what is theirs will never be tampered with again ”
”I will assess more of what is lacking in the central senatorial district with a view to improving the situation I will meet on ground ”
”All hands will be put on ground to salvage the situation.”
The southern senatorial zone of Taraba state was previously ruled by the PDP with the former deputy minority leader Senator Emmanuel Bwacha before he defected to the ruling APC and lost his position as the deputy Minority leader to Senator Shuaibu Lau of the Northern Senatorial zone of Taraba state.
The central senatorial zone of Taraba state is currently represented by the opposition APC under the leadership of Senator Yusuf Yusuf, Chairman, senate committee on special duties.
While the PDP is making frantic efforts to do the needful in winning elections, the APC appears weakened by the court injunction restraining the state’s executives from parading themselves as officials of the party for breaching the party’s constitution during its state congress.
A file photo of Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku. Photo: Sodiq Adelakun/ChannelsTV
Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku on Saturday ordered security agencies in the state to immediate introduce operation stop and search across the state, especially in Jalingo, the state capital.
The directive comes after two bombings were recorded in the state within four days.
The latest bombing was recorded at Nukkai Market area in Jalingo metropolis on Friday.
Terrorist group ISWAP has taken responsibility for Tuesday’s bombing which killed at least six persons.
“Governor Ishaku described the incident as ungodly, inhuman, barbaric and a deliberate attempt by evil people to distabilize the state,” a statement signed by his spokesperson, Iliya Bekyu Akweh, said.
“He directed Security Agencies in the state to network through proper investigation to fish out the terrorists whom he said are working relentlessly to destabilize the peace of the state
“The Governor further directed Security Agencies to immediately introduce operation stop and search across the state especially in the State Capital to check mate the nefarious activities of terrorists and their cohorts who have infiltrated the state recently
“According to the Governor, it is disheartening for lives of innocent citizens and their properties be destroyed without any act of provocation by criminals who do not have an iota of regard for the sanctity of human lives and assured that no stone will be left unturned to unravel the mystery surrounding their heinous and dastardly act
“The Governor however advised people of the state to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons in their midst to Security Agents for immediate action with a view to averting a recurrence of the ugly incident
“Ishaku particularly implored the people of the state to avoid public places such as recreational centres and other crowded areas which are possible soft targets of the terrorists, emphasizing that Taraba State needs peace to develop and not bombers to distabilize the state
“He further frowned at the recent happenings in the state and pointed out that his administration would not allow evil people and their sponsors including those harbouring them to destabilize the peace he had worked hard to restore in the state.
“The Governor directed the Ministry of Urban Planning and Environment to ensure that hawkers and traders who have establish mini markets at unapproved places in the state capital to evacuate those areas forthwith or have themselves to blame
“Ishaku further assured the people of the state of his administration’s readiness to rid the state of criminality and advised them to go about their lawful duties stressing that the government was on top of the situation
“He commiserated with those injured in the blast and are receiving treatment in the hospitals and promised Government assistance to ameliorate their suffering.”
An eyewitness who spoke to Channels Television said the explosion happened shortly after a suspected suicide bomber arrived at the spot, dropped a polythene bag and disappeared.
He added that some of the children around who saw the suspected suicide bomber could not speak, until after the explosion.
The victims have, however, been rushed to a hospital for medical attention.
Neither the police or the state government has made any statement regarding the incident.
However, intelligence reports revealed earlier that suspected suicide bombers will attack any of the drinking joints in Kasuwan Bera, Nukkai, Mayo Dasa or mile six market.
The incident comes just days after a bomb explosion rocked a drinking joint at a cattle market in Iware Community, a suburb of Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of the state.
While six persons were confirmed dead, at least 19 others were said to have been injured.
Meanwhile, jihadists affiliated to the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
A map of Taraba, a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.
Six persons have been confirmed dead with an unspecified number injured following a bomb explosion that rocked a drinking bar in Mashaya market, Iware Community located in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The blast occurred on Tuesday.
A visit to the scene of the incident by Channels Television revealed blood stains on the floor and a shattered local drinking joint.
The Anti-bomb squad of the Nigeria Police Force were also on ground combing the area for a possible bomb detonation.
Meanwhile jihadists affiliated to the Islamic State have claimed responsibility for the attack.
In a statement released in Arabic on Wednesday, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) said it had detonated the bomb, “killing and wounding nearly 30 Christians and damaging the bar.”
The statement, translated by SITE Intelligence which monitors jihadist activities worldwide, said the attack was “revenge” for the death of two of the group’s leaders, without giving further details.
The blast occurred in a crowded open-air moonshine bar in the town of Iware.
ISWAP has become the dominant threat in the northeast since the death in May 2021 of Abubakar Shekau, the former leader of rival group Boko Haram.
More than 40,000 people have died and around two million have fled their homes since the insurgency began in 2009.
The military has scaled up its offensive ahead of the rainy season which starts next month, killing high-profile commanders in recent air strikes on the group’s camps.
Taraba has not experienced any jihadist attacks since 2014.
However, the state is a hotspot for kidnappings for ransom by criminal gangs, known locally as bandits.
There has been growing concern about increasing ties between jihadists and bandits who are motivated by financial motives with no ideological leaning.
A map of Taraba, a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.
No fewer than three persons have been confirmed killed following a bomb explosion that rocked a drinking joint at a cattle market in Iware Community, a suburb of Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State.
At least 19 other persons have also been confirmed injured and receiving treatment at various health centres within the community and beyond.
The Police Public Relations Officer Abdullahi Usman confirmed this to Channels Television via a telephone interview.
He noted that this is the second time such explosion is taking place with the first at a catholic school in Mutum Biyu, the headquarters of Gassol Local Government Area, 30 kilometres away from each other a month ago.
Usman added that security operatives have been drafted to the scene to commence investigation as well as douse the tension already created.
Iware Community is known for its cattle market and attracts buyers from all over Nigeria and neigbouring Cameroon who storm the market every Tuesday to make purchases at affordable prices.
An eye witness Sunday Pantuvo, who narrowly escaped with injuries said the alleged bomber came to the drinking joint with a friend as customers, ordered for a drink and left in separate ways.
The alleged bomber later returned, paid for the drink and dropped a polythene bag which is said to contain the explosive and stepped aside.
Few minutes later, he said he was going in search of his friend and seconds after the bomb exploded.
Pantuvo said one of the suspected bombers was later caught and killed by the angry residents who cut his body into parts in anger.
Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, has declared the state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as illegal and null.
This follows a suit filed by aggrieved members of the party who approached the court sighting irregularities such as violation of the party’s constitution and the amended electoral act.
The defendants in the case included the APC, INEC, former Chairman of the party Elsudi Ibrahim, Rachel Akpabio and several others.
According to the plaintiff, the party did not hold its state congress at the state seceteriat, failed to inform aspirants on the would-be congress and misled its national headquarters after holding the purported congress in a farm located at Jauro Yinu village of Ardo Kola, belonging to a chieftain of the party in Taraba, Ali Sani-Kona among several allegations.
In his ruling, Justice Simon Amobeda ruled that the party ridiculed the court by disobeying its order of halting the purported congress, insisting that those claiming to be officials of the party should stop parading themselves as one.
The judge also ruled that by not allowing other members of the party to take part in the congress as well as not announcing a date, the congress, which took place on October 24, was undemocratic.
He instructed that another state congress be organised to carry every member along.
Speaking shortly after the judgment, counsel to the defendants John Odekina stressed that they will approach Court of Appeal and Supreme Court to ensure justice.
Meanwhile, counsel to the plaintiffs, Joy Ezekiel, is basking in the euphoria of the judgment, saying that they are ready to go to any lengths to if the defendants approach an appellate court.
According to him, the travellers were ambushed while returning from Wukari town on motorcycle to their houses in Tsokundi Village unprovoked.
He added that this is not the first of its kind in the area in the year 2022 as no fewer than 10 persons have so far been killed via ambush on farmers and travellers alike.
He insisted that a stakeholders meeting will be held soon to curtail the continuous loss of lives and property as well as urge those masterminding the killings to come forward and state their reasons or demands.
A map of Taraba, a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.
A fire outbreak has destroyed tubers of yam worth millions at a market in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Although the cause of the outbreak which occurred at midnight on Saturday, is yet to be known, the Chairman of the Yam Sellers Association in the state, Anthony Agbu, disclosed that there has been a major misunderstanding between farmers and sellers which may have resulted in the incident.
According to Agbu, this is the 14th time this year alone that such an incident is happening mostly after harvest season.
The yam sellers and farmers have called out to the government to help them rebuild their lives once again, saying they have lost tubers worth N200million, as well as motorcycles and grains.
A map of Taraba, a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.
A 26-year-old Computer Science student of the Taraba State Polytechnic has been found dead in a swimming pool.
Identified as Clara Jacob, the lifeless body of the final year student was discovered at the Suite 11 Hotel swimming pool in Jalingo, Taraba State on Saturday.
The elder brother to the deceased, Jacob Joseph, who confirmed the incident to Channels Television, said the body has been taken to the Federal Medical Center, Jalingo and deposited at the Morgue.
“I am shocked beyond words to know that my own sister is no more.
“More surprising to me is that I heard she was nowhere to be found and the pool manager said he does not know how to swim not to talk more of searching for her at the deep side of the pool,” Joseph said.
Eyewitnesses at the scene say she was swimming alongside some friends when she suddenly went missing.
According to the friends, they were all swimming together when they noticed Clara was struggling at the deep end of the pool.
When they called the pool manager to assist, he said he did not know how to swim.
“After several minutes of frantic efforts, we only succeeded in pulling her lifeless body out,” one of the friends of the deceased told Channels Television.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state, Abdullahi Usman, said the incident is yet to reach his desk by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Jalingo, LGA.
He, however, gave an assurance that an investigation will commence into the incident.
A map of Taraba, a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.
One person has been reported killed by gunmen suspected to be fleeing gang members of the late notorious criminal Terwase Akwaza a.k.a Gana, in Taraba State.
The victim identified as Tsunatu Danjuma was murdered while on his farm with other relations of his.
The incident which took place in the farming community of Rafinkada in Wukari Local Government Area of the state saw other farmers fleeing their homes and farmlands for safety.
Chairman of the council, Daniel Grace confirmed the incident to Channels Television on Thursday.
He, however, called for calm, asking all fleeing residents to return home.
“I received a distress call at about 10:00 am from Rafinkada community this morning, immediately I mobilized the security agencies and we moved to the site to douse tension,” he said.
“Unfortunately, before we could get there, the damage had been done already and we found the corpse of one of the residents who was shot dead in his farmland.
“The militiamen are suspected to be the remnants of Gana boys who launch attacks and retreat to the surrounding forests.
“We are not giving up, though we found one dead body, we will still comb the bush for others who claim their relations are nowhere to be found.
“For now, the residents are gradually returning and security agencies have been drafted to the area to build their confidence as a peace-building mechanism”.
According to the chairman of the council, arrangements have been concluded for the burial of the deceased later on Thursday.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abdullahi Usman, said the report of the incident was yet to reach his desk.
He, however, assured that the situation will be addressed and the perpetrators arrested.
Rafinkada community is about 30 kilometers from Wukari the headquarters of Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The affected community has been a haven for investors in agri-business in Taraba and has been the major producing community for a variety of crops.
This is the first incident that has occurred in the area since the Tiv versus Jukun crisis subsided and a truce was reached about two months ago.
