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… Says 60 Persons Killed In One Fell Swoop
….Demands Dismissal, Trial Of Army Personnel Involved In Killings
MAKURDI: As condemnations trail alleged extrajudicial killing of six persons including some students in Turan, Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, Turan Concern Elites Foundation (TCEF), have alleged that they have lost thousands of their kith and kin to extrajudicial killings and herdsmen attacks.
While TCEF decried the situation where Turan land have been under siege by armed herdsmen and terrorists for over two decades, it also observed that in a particular incident in 2017, about 66 persons were killed in one fell swoop.
Apart from that, the group, noted that in the last two decades, the people of Turan have suffered displacement, buried thousands, endured hunger, fear, and losses.
This was contained in a text of a press conference held by the Board of Trustees (BOT), of TCEF), signed by its Secretary, Dr Jacob Ayua, at the event held in Jato-Aka, Turan, Kwande Local Government Area (LGA) on Sunday.
Speaking in turns, Dickson Akaatyoo and Iyua Joel Korinjo, both members of the BOT, called for the withdrawal of the soldiers posted to the area as well as the dismissal of one, Capt Jabir Ahmed and his colleagues who allegedly ordered that shooting that led the killing of innocent persons, to serve as a deterrent to others.
They stated that some of those that were shot, including Terlumun Menenge, Sefa Aondoakula, Washima Aondoakula, Imoter Alu, Terlumun Iorkise, Tarlumun Ben, Sonnen Maav and Menenge Terlumun, were lying critically in hospital, “struggling for survival” and their families were keeping “vigil in fear and in tears, not knowing if they will see their loved ones rise again.
They said, “On behalf of TCEF, we stand before you today with a heavy heart, weighed down by grief, anger, and the unrelenting pain of yet another tragedy that has befallen our community. On 30th September, 2025, the Nigerian Army, the very institution tasked with the sacred duty of protecting Nigerian citizens – once again turned its guns on armless people of Turan land including women and school children.
“In a gathering of mourners in Jato Aka Nigerian soldiers opened fire on armless civilians without provocation; killing and maiming school children, our brothers, our fathers, and our neighbors. Five of our beloved sons were cut down in cold blood, including three school children, whose only crime was being born in Turan and Nigeria.”
“In 2014, an 11-year-old student of Turan origin was killed in similar circumstances. Evidences were provided in court against Nigerian Army, but justice was denied.
“Again, in 2017, under the command of the Nigerian Army’s 93 Battalion in Takum, Taraba State, soldiers allegedly joined forces with armed militias, deploying heavy weapons – including a General Purpose Machine Gun – against Turan people of Moon Council Ward.
“In the invasion, over 66 of our kinsmen were massacred including a traditional ruler; the late Mue-Ter, Yalo Agbo, was among those killed by Nigerian soldiers. A presidential panel of inquiry was set up to investigate, yet eight years later, not a single soldier or militia leader has been held accountable.
“This incidence is not an isolated one. It is part of a tragic pattern that has defined the operations of Nigerian Army in Turan land. Time and again, instead of protecting us, Nigerian soldiers posted to Jato Aka have brutalized and extorted money from our people including IDPs.
“For over two decades, Turan land has been under siege by armed herdsmen and terrorists. We have suffered displacement, we have buried thousands, we have endured hunger, fear, and different losses.”
Subsequently, the group demanded “The immediate removal of the Nigerian Army unit currently stationed in Jato-Aka under the command of Capt Jabir Ahmed. They (Army) have lost the trust of our people. Their presence has brought only pain. In their place, we call for the deployment of the Nigeria Mobile Police, who have proven responsive and humane in their operations.
“Capt Jabir Ahmed and his colleagues who committed these heinous crimes against humanity should be dismissed from the Nigeria Army to serve as a deterrent to others .
“A full, transparent, and independent investigation into the killings of September 30, 2025. This investigation must be impartial and thorough, with findings made public and prosecutions of Capt. Ahmed and his colleagues for extra judicial killings.
“A halt to intimidation and extortion of grieving families. There are reports that Nigerian soldiers posted to Jato Aka demand huge sums of money from IDPs including the burial of this Chief, where they opened fire on armless civilians to “escort” corpses for burial, this act is considered an insult to human dignity and an aggravation of our pain. Those responsible must be punished.
“Medical care and reparations for all victims and families – to cover hospital bills, funeral expenses, and fair compensation for the lives lost.
“A long-term plan from the federal and state governments for the security of Turan communities, one that respects our dignity and guarantees our safety”, the group emphasized.
TCEF, lamented that “Yet, through it all, we have remained peaceful, law-abiding, and hospitable. We welcomed soldiers into our land with open arms, believing they came to protect us. But time after time, they have turned those arms against our people.
“Today, our voices rise not only in grief, but in determination. We will not be silent. We will not forget. And we will not relent until justice is served.
“In our pain, we still extend the hand of peace. We only ask that justice be done, that the killers of our children be held accountable; and that the government ensures such horror never happens again.
“Their blood has watered the soil of Turan, not because they were criminals or aggressors, but because they were vulnerable, defenseless, and unarmed citizens. As if this was not enough, eight of our people now lie in hospital beds- critically injured, struggling for survival”, the group cried out in agony.
