Traditional Ruler Escapes Gunmen Attack In Taraba

The paramount ruler of Yandang chiefdom, Haniel Banti, has escaped an attack by armed men in Taraba State.

He said raised an alarm after he heard the gunmen having a conversation about the attack on his palace on Saturday in Jauro Santi in Lau Local Government Area of the state.

Narrating how the incident happened, the traditional ruler said, “It was around 1:00am but I was awake; I heard strange voices around my house.

“They (the gunmen) spoke in a language I can identify, saying that this is the house. I was alerted by that, I left what I was doing at that time and alerted my guards.”

He added, “They surrounded the house and one of them climbed up the gate and was trying to come in; my security guards engaged him and they started shooting. On discovering that everyone was alerted, they left.”

Banti, however, explained that in the process of repelling the attackers, one of his guards was shot by the assailants.

He said the victim was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo when he received treatment and now back to the palace.

The traditional ruler stressed that he informed the police about the attack while the fire exchange was ongoing but the security officials came in three vehicles after the hoodlums had already left.

“When they (police) arrived they could not find anyone, but they could hear the voices of the assailants crossing the nearby river.

“It has become a national problem. The issue of insecurity is everywhere. My call to the government and entire citizenry is for us to come together, build our state, and shun social vices for development to thrive,” he stated.