Taraba highway killings: Rep member calls for joint community vigilance

By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo

Following Monday morning attack on a taxi along the Takum-Wukari road that led to the gruesome killing of Six persons, Hon Mark Useni, Member Representing Takum/ Donga/ Ussa Federal Constituency, has called on communities along the Benue/Taraba border in the axis to step up intelligence gathering and joint vigilance.

In a statement issued on Monday night, Useni, who described the killings as barbaric, strongly condemn the act and noted that the activities of criminals in the axis will have far reaching consequences if not checked expediently.

Hon. Useni disclosed that he is already in consultation with his colleagues at the National Assembly on both sides to see how they can come in and urged Benue and Taraba States Governments to step up collaborations to tackle the monster before it is too late.

The statement reads in part that “I condemn in strong terms the barbaric killing of 6 commuters along Takum- Wukari road. This unfortunate incidence is coming a few weeks after the Chief of Chanchanji was murdered together with his son on the same road. My heart goes out to the families of the 6 victims of the dastard act .

“These criminal elements have also evolved a wicked strategy of following local farmers to their farm to kidnap for ransom, a situation which will aggravate the hunger being experienced in the land. I want to call on communities along the Taraba/ Benue border on both sides to step up local intelligence and vigilance to make work easy for security agencies in protecting the areas.

“While appreciating Taraba state Governor Dr Agbu Kefas for his usual prompt action towards security concerns, I wish to implore strong synergy between Taraba and Benue state Governments towards tackling the hydra headed problem.

“As a Representative of the people I am already reaching out to my colleagues of the two Federal Constituencies on the Benue side to offer our support to the two Governors to securing our people.
I urge the affected communities to continue to be calm and allow security agencies to contain with the situation”.