… As Taraba Gov, Kefas, appoint retired CP head of State Security Outfit

By Femi Bolaji

Taraba state house of assembly has expressed concern at the continuous onslaught of bandits on local communities in four local government areas.

This came as the state governor, Agbu Kefas, approved the appointment of a retired Commissioner of Police, Agyole Asenya Abeh, as Commander of Taraba State Marshal Security Guard.

The affected LGAs according to a matter of urgent public importance raised during Wednesday plenary by six lawmakers are Takum, Ussa, Wukari, Karim-Lamido and Yangtu special development area.

The lawmakers are Abubakar John Tanko Yusuf (Takum 1 Constituency); John Lamba (Takum II Constituency); Joshua Urenyang Rikupk (Ussa Constituency); Angye Josiah Yaro (Wukari II Constituency); Jethro Yakubu Zikengyu (Wukari 1 Constituency) and Annas Shuaibu (Karim-Lamido II).

They argued that the activities of the bandits if left unchecked might nosedive into an humanitarian crisis that will be difficult to manage.

John Tanko of Takum 1 who read the joint motion of the lawmakers noted that, “this sporadic and unprovoked attacks in the aforementioned areas have led to wanton destruction of lives and properties including farmlands and other means of livelihood of the people of these areas.

“The people affected by the crisis have been rendered homeless, without food, access to health care and education, thereby exposing them to famine, epidemics and attendant hardships and other inconveniences of displacement.

“If these banditry activities are not brought to an end as quickly as possible it will lead to a humanitarian crisis with all the attendant consequences.”

Part of their prayers as contained in their brief during plenary was “the Executive Arm of Government should as a matter of urgency deploy adequate security forces in these areas to contain the incessant attacks of people by the bandits.

“That, the Executive Arm of Government should direct the State Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials such as food stuffs, building materials, medical facilities to the victims in order to alleviate their sufferings from the attacks by the bandits.

“That, the Taraba State Government should liaise with its Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Gombe and Plateau State counter part to establish Joint Border Security patrol in order to curb transboarder criminal activities.”

The assembly through a voice vote unanimously agreed that a state of emergency be declared on the affected areas by the executive arm of government.

Also, a statement by Secretary to the state government, Gebon Timothy Kataps, says the appointment of retired CP Abeh, was in compliance with Section 22 of the Taraba State Marshal Security Guards Law, 2021.