Bandits threaten to kidnap candidates during campaigns in Taraba
Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
As we match towards 2023 general elections and political activities in the country continue to gather momentum, bandits operating in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State have vowed to kidnap some candidates contesting for elective positions in Taraba State when campaigns commenced in full swing in the state.
The Executive Chairman, Gassol Local Government Area, Hon. Musa Abdullahi Chul disclosed this while interacting with newsmen in Jalingo
Hon. Musa Chul stated that already, some parts of Gassol Local Government Area are now tagged as ‘no go areas’ as the bandits whom he said had now indulged in serial kidnapping have sacked some villagers and are taking charge of their communities.
He revealed that in the previous week, the District Head of Gunduma Ward of Gassol Local Government Area was kidnapped alongside four other persons.
Though two of the victims, Hon. Musa said had regained freedom after tenacious efforts by the leadership of the council in collaboration with security operatives, the three other persons are still in captivity as no reasonable information is heard about them from their abductors.
The council boss who expressed worry over impending hunger in the area, lamented that since the return of rain, most people in the council no longer go to farm for fear of been killed by the bandits.
“Yes, the activities of these bandits have taken another dimension. They threatened us on daily basis and now they said they are waiting for political campaigns to commence so that they would kidnapped some of the candidates for the 2023 election to make quick and much money.
“They said they are tired of kidnapping poor men who give them nothing at the end of all their struggles and would mow start going after big politicians”. Hon. Musa added.
The chairman however, applauded the Taraba State Governor, Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku for the pragmatic way and proactive measures he has put in place to secure the state.
” If not because of our pragmatic and proactive Governor, Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku, these bandits would have done unimaginable things. Just recently, the Government, working in collaboration with the Federal Government, deployed Millitary Officers in numbers, who repelled these bandits at the border of Gassol Local Government Area and Karim Lamido.
“We know it is because of the heat they recieved from there that they now shifted and pinched their tents around the borders of Bali, Donga and the eastern part of Gassol Local Governments.
“The governor has continue to engage them through the different security measures and we are hopeful that our people will soon go to bed with their two eyes closed”. He stated.
