Gunmen have killed six people, including the driver of a commercial vehicle traveling from Takum Local Government Area to Wukari Local Government Area in Taraba State.
The attack occurred in the Sai community, a border area of Benue State extending into Takum LGA, Taraba State. The chairman of the Takum council, John Ali confirmed the incident on Monday.
This tragic event took place on the Takum-Wukari Express Road, the same location where the traditional ruler of Chanchanji and his son were recently ambushed and killed by gunmen while returning from a funeral in Takum town.
Ali revealed that the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) had previously been advised against using the route early in the morning due to its volatile nature.
“The first vehicle, carrying about five passengers, left Takum early Monday around 6:00 am,” Ali said. “As the vehicle approached Sai, a community in Benue State where we often encounter problems, hoodlums emerged from the bush and opened fire, killing all six passengers, including the driver.”
He added that security agencies have been instructed to retrieve the bodies and pursue the attackers. A security team, established by the governor after the recent killing of the third-class chief of Chanchanji and his son, was preparing to begin their patrol at around 7:00 am when the attack occurred between 6:00 am and 6:30 am.
“We had previously held a security meeting with the NURTW and other unions, advising against using the road early in the morning before security patrols begin. It’s unclear why the driver ignored this advice and became a victim,” Ali noted.
He emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
