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We lost 73 people in one month, say Taraba Christians - Edoman - 08-16-2018
We lost 73 people in one month, say Taraba Christians
Published August 16, 2018
Justin Tyopuusu, Jalingo
The Christian Association of Nigeria in Taraba on Wednesday said 73 of their members were killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen between June and July in the Lau and Ardo-Kola local government areas of the state.
This is even as they said over 15,000 people were displaced across 49 communities in the affected local government areas.
The state Acting Chairman of CAN, Apostle John Aina, who gave the figure at a press briefing in Jalingo, called on the Federal Government to extend the Army’s Operation Whirl Stroke to Taraba to tackle killings in the state.
“CAN Taraba State is saddened by the unfortunate recurring crisis in the state and we call on the Federal Government to extend the Army’s Operation Whirl Stroke currently going on in Benue to some flashpoints in Taraba to help to restore peace to the affected communities.
“We condemn in strong terms the unabating killings in some Christian communities by Fulani herdsmen, where 73 people were killed in the Lau and Ardo-Kola local government areas of the state across 49 villages last month.
“These attacks have led to the displacement of over 15,000 people who are now living as IDPs at various locations in the state in dehumanising circumstances,” he said.
While extending their condolences to families of the victims of the crisis, CAN called on the international community, civil society groups and other Nigerians to rise against the killings.
Aina noted that if the killings in Taraba and other parts of the country were not quickly checked, they might affect the 2019 elections.
Reacting to the CAN claims, the Commissioner of Police in Taraba, Mr David Akinremi, said there were killings in Lau but the situation had since been brought under control.
“The situation in Lau is not as bad as what CAN is portraying. There were some killings in Lau, but the situation has been brought under control.
“We have deployed personnel to strategic points in the area to restore peace and to enable IDPs return to their homes.
“People have to understand that security agents cannot be in every village, but we are trying our best to ensure safety of lives and property,” he said.
https://punchng.com/we-lost-73-people-in-one-month-say-taraba-christians/