Penultimate Friday, a third class traditional ruler, Gara of Chanchanji in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, Alhaji Tanimu Kumbiya, was killed alongside his son. Based on findings by The Nation, the latest event brings to four the number of traditional rulers that were killed in barely 24 months. Correspondent VICTOR GAI, reports.
IN barely a week from now, it would be two years since the traditional ruler of Yukuben Chiefdom in Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State, Udeng Ibrahim Yamusa Achilok, was killed alongside his son. The unfortunate event ushered in a series of targeted murder of traditional rulers across the volatile state.
The late traditional ruler and son Musa were abducted sometime in August 2022 in Takum LGA with their corpses recovered after two days in the bush. He was said to be a victim of conspiracy by some of his former close aides who were angered by their sack.
A reliable source, who pleaded anonymity, said the ruler sacked the main suspects and the development did not go down well with them. But the assailants did not go free as the police confirmed the arrest of six suspects in connection with the abduction and murder of the third-class traditional ruler.
A statement by the Police said: “He was abducted along Takum/Ussa axis and two days after, his remains were found somewhere in Ussa Local Government Area.
“We have some suspects with us here. We are still investigating to see if we can get more suspects before we arraign them.
“We have six suspects in connection with the killing of the late traditional ruler.
“They confessed that they aided in the abduction and killing of the late monarch. We are still investigating to see how we can apprehend some of the fleeing culprits.”
However, the police said they would be cautious in handling the matter as it may be politically motivated baring the insecurity that prevailed due to banditry and terrorism in that axis.
On April 19, 2024, the third class chief of Sansani, Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, Abdulmutalib Nuhu, was brutally murdered by his assailants in his home in Sansani.
Information had it that his assailants “came to the area…went straight to his palace, shot and killed him, snatched his two phones. While they were going, they met a young man who was coming on a motorcycle; they also shot and broke his leg before leaving the village.”
Last month, the village head of Usumanu in Karim Lamido Local Government Area, Auwal Abubakar Kawu, was killed by some gunmen four months after his younger brother, Rilwanu Abubakar Kawu, was assassinated in the same manner.
Two people were reportedly arrested by the police in connection with the killing and were charged to court. The police said several others were being trailed in connection with the murder.
Then came the latest in a series of killings where the traditional ruler of Chanchanji in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, the Gara of Chanchanji, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Tanimu Kumbiya was killed alongside his son.
Expressing his shock over the incident, the Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas, ordered the arrest of the perpetrators of the “heinous act”.
According to a statement issued by his Spokesman, Emmanuel Bello, the governor expressed condolences to the people of Takum and Chanchanji and sued for calm from the people, promising to “rid the State of all acts of lawlessness and brigandage”.
The statement reads: “Taraba State governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, has received with deep sadness the news of the death of the Gara of Chanchagi, HRH, Alhaji Tanimu Kunbiya and his son, Yusuf, Friday evening.
“Governor Kefas described as tragic the manner in which the late revered monarch was hacked down on their way from a funeral event in Takum.
“The governor has since ordered the security agents to immediately investigate the circumstances and go after the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“He said everyone involved must be brought to justice as soon as possible.”
The governor, while suing for calm from Takum residents, said he would leave no stone unturned to fish out the criminals and bring them to justice in the shortest time possible.
But a second class chief, Alhaji Umaru Buba Nyala of Pupule Chiefdom in Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba State was a bit lucky not to have gone the way of his colleagues. In December 2023, the traditional ruler and 21 others were kidnapped.
Reports said the traditional ruler and others were taken away very early in the morning by kidnappers who lived in the surrounding mountains of the town.
Fortunately, he was rescued after spending time in the kidnappers’ den in the surrounding mountains.
There is palpable fear in the land as the trend has continued unabated. The killings have been attributed to politics, ethnicity and the lingering insecurity as a result of banditry and terrorism.
The pattern of the attacks has been similar; it is either by direct gun attack or abduction and subsequent killing of the victims.
Most of the attacks are believed to have succeeded due to insider collaboration within the affected palaces, raising a question about the level of security around traditional rulers in the state.
The authorities have all the while depended on reactionary efforts after the deeds have been done.
To buttress the ethnic connection to those killings, a cultural group, the Tiv Cultural and Social Association, Taraba State, lamented the recent killing of their traditional head.
In a statement signed by the President-General of the association, Chief James Baka, the group expressed its “shock and sadness” over the murder of their monarch.
The statement reads: “The Tiv people of Takum have long coexisted peacefully with the Chamba and Jukun communities in the area. Never before have we witnessed such a grievous incident.
“We are committed to maintaining this harmonious relationship and stand united against any act of violence that threatens our collective peace.”
