By: John Mkom
Unknown gunmen suspected to be bandits have resurfaced, engaging in activities of kidnapping in several communities of Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State, killing five persons while also injuring several persons in different villages of the LGA.
The bandits also kidnapped Jauro Tace, the village head of Garin-Magaji, at gunpoint; however, Tace was released after payment of ransom as at the time of the report.
The communities from Lau LGA that are occupied by the bandits include Kunini, Jimlari, Garin-Magaji, Donnada and Garin-Dogo.
The five persons were killed between 30th June and 27th July 2026 at gunpoint during kidnapping attempts.
Our correspondent’s visit to Lau gathered that hundreds of persons, particularly the Fulani, have since fled their areas and are taking refuge at Garin-Dogo, the headquarters of Garin-Dogo ward .
The Fulani, mostly women and children, told our correspondent that they are displaced from Ruga Alhaji-Kadiri, Ruga-Alhaji-Adamu and Ruga Alhaji-Kamuwa to save their lives from the bandits.
Most of the displaced persons were seen taking refuge in the house of the legislative leader of Lau local government council, Hon. Dauda.
Speaking with our correspondent, Mr Joseph Mustafa said nobody within Lau is sleeping with his or her eyes closed, following the activities of the bandits. He said that on assumption of office, the Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, eliminated banditry within the area; he wondered why the act resurfaced in full force.
While efforts to speak with the Chairman of Lau Local Government Council, Hon. Peter Julius, proved abortive, a senior government official who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the activities of the bandits have chased farmers away from their communities; he stated that there is impending hunger if the security agencies do not handle the matter on time.
Our correspondent also visited the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jalingo to see one Musa Umar and Alhaji Abdul Biro, two victims who were attacked by the bandits at Bumanda, a village in Jimlari community; the two victims, while speaking, revealed that the bandits have sophisticated weapons.
The spokesman of the Taraba state police command, Mr Victor Msherizar, did not respond to calls and text messages sent to him for confirmation of the incident at the time of the report.(Business Day)
