No fewer than two persons were reportedly killed and seven others seriously injured following a Christmas attack in Ukpera village of Yerima ward in Gasol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Gunmen suspected to be herders, according to residents of Ukpera village who spoke to BusinessDay, attacked the village at about 8pm on Wednesday, December 25, when the people were celebrating Christmas with their families.
Iorhuna Daniel, a villager, alleged that the attackers were Fulani herders who have been agitating for grazing land with the villagers.
The gunmen, Daniel told BusinessDay on phone, came at a time all the villagers were deeply in the Christmas mood and opened fire on the people, killing two and leaving seven others with serious gun wounds. All the nine persons attacked were men, he said.
“Two people were killed instantly by the Fulani men. Four persons who sustained injuries with gunshots were that yesterday night conveyed to Mutum Biu while three others were discovered this morning in the bush. We are making efforts to also take them to the same hospital,” Daniel said.
Other residents who spoke to BusinessDay also claimed the attack on the Ukpera village was a reprisal by Fulani herders whose cows were macheted by some Tiv farmers within the area.
Tanko Meikerfi, caretaker chairman of Gasol LGA, who confirmed the attack, said two people were killed by the unknown gunmen within Yerwa area, five other people were injured while several houses were burnt by the attackers.
As at the time of this report, he said he had spoken with the DPO of the area and the police were on their way to calm the situation and make possible arrest to prosecute those behind the attack.
However, David Missal, police public relations officer, Taraba State command, said he had not been briefed.
Nathaniel Gbaoron, Jalingo.
