Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria seems the new epicentre of terrorists attacks as they killed about six troops of 93 Battalion of Nigerian Army, Takum in an ambush on Tuesday.
The ambush was targeted at the convoy escorting the Commanding Officer of the Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Okorie,to the Taraba State capital, Jalingo who is still missing since the encounter.
The large swath of terrorists launched the ambush at Tati Village of Takum Local Government Area of the State.
A source confirmed that “yes, the terrorists attacked some troops of the Nigerian Army yesterday (Tuesday). The Army lost some soldiers to the ambush. The soldiers, in spite of the surprise attack, fought back and neutralized some of them.
“They also recovered some arms and ammunition from them. Some troops from a nearby location, at Donga came to change the tide of the battle.
“The officer who led the operation is also missing as he has not been sighted. I cannot say exactly how many terrorists were killed by some were neutralized and the terrorists fled the area. The troops are currently dominating the affected area.”
And in the State capital Jalingo, an explosion rocked the headquarters of 6 Brigade of Nigeria Army.
The incident took place late Tuesday night in the backyard of a building with the headquarters but no casualty was recorded.
about:blank The Army has so far barricaded the roads leading to and fro the axis of the Six Brigade Nigeria Army headquarters to forestall further attempts on their lives.
No statement has emanated from the Brigade Commander as to what transpired.
Tuesday’s explosion adds to the increasing cases of bombings in the northeastern state.
Late last month, there were two bombing incidents in a space of four days in Taraba State. One of them, which the terrorist group ISWAP took responsibility for, killed at least six persons.
Irked by the development, Governor Darius Ishaku ordered a stop and search operation across the state as part of efforts to firm up security.
“Governor Ishaku described the incident as ungodly, inhuman, barbaric, and a deliberate attempt by evil people to destabilize the state,” a statement signed by his spokesperson, Iliya Bekyu Akweh, said.
“He directed security agencies in the state to a 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 checkmate the nefarious activities of terrorists and their cohorts who have infiltrated the state recently.”
According to the governor, who lamented the loss of lives in the state, “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.”