The Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria has raised the alarm over plots by armed mercenaries to launch coordinated attacks on several communities in Takum, Ussa and parts of Kurmi local government areas of Taraba state.
The president general of the group, Comrade Emmanuel Ukwen, told journalists in Jalingo weekend that the suspected attackers were camping at the abandoned TY Danjuma Farm estate along the Manya–Takum Road.
He claimed that no fewer than seven people were killed and several others injured by gunmen operating from the site in the last one week.
Ukwen listed more than 30 villages across the affected councils and Yangtu development area as likely targets, saying the attackers were heavily armed and had been destroying farmlands to force residents out of their ancestral homes.
The villages include Takum LGA: Mbiya area, Tukwog, T.Y Farm, Muji I, Muji II, Basang, Kpashimbe, Acha Sarka, Acha Nyim, Tati, Sabon Gida Kuteb near Manya, Kumbu, and Gangu, Ussa LGA: Kwesati, Kwentam I, Ripaenchin, Kusangsang, Alaha, Kutukwok, Waenja, Tutuwa, Kpambo Puri, Fikyu Nyim, Sați Tsinya, Ukang, and Asiq Rimamnyang Nyido, and Mberogo.
Yangtu Development Area: Though no group is resident, he alleged incursions are made through Basang axis into Tamiya, Bika Lupwe, Kwambai, Jenuwa Nyifiye, Jenuwa Gida, Jenuwa Kogi, Nyicwu, Ribasi, and Kwari.
He warned that the motive was to drive Kuteb people away and prevent them from participating in the ongoing voter registration exercise.
The Kuteb leader appealed to the state government and security agencies to urgently deploy more troops, conduct aerial surveillance and strengthen community vigilance to avert what he described as an impending humanitarian crisis.