Bandits Kidnapped Monarch, killed 5, Displaced Hundreds of Villagers in Taraba

By Andrew Ojih,  Jalingo 

Unknown gunmen suspected to be bandits have resurfaced activities of kidnapping in several communities of Lau local government area of Taraba state, killing five persons while they also injured several persons in deferent villages of LGA.

The bandits also kidnapped Jauro Tace, the village head of Garin-Magaji at gun point, though, Tace was released after payment of ransom as at the time of the report.

The communities from Lau LGA that are been occupied by the bandits includes, Kunini, Jimlari, Garin-Magaji, Donnada and Garin-Dogo.

The five persons were killed between 30th June to 27th July 2026 at gun point during kidnapping attempts.

Our correspondent 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 been 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 close, following the activities of the bandits. He said on assumption of office, the Taraba state governor Agbu Kefas eliminated banditry within the area, he wandered why the act have resurfaced in full force.

While efforts to speak with the Chairman Lau local government council  Hon. Peter Julius prove abortive, a senior government official who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the activities of the bandits have chase farmers away from their communities, he stated that there is impending hunger if the security agencies did not handle the mater on time.

Our correspondent also visited the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Jalingo to see one Musa Umar and Alhaji Abdul Biro, two victims who were attacked by the bandits at Bumanda, a village from Jimlari community, the two victims while speaking revealed that the bandits have sophisticated weapons.

Efforts to speak with the spokesperson of the Taraba state police command, Mr Msherizara Victor proved abortive as he neither picked nor return his calls.