“Jalingo Is On Fire, Herdsmen Shooting Everywhere, Residents Screaming & Running For Help”

Many persons have been feared killed and houses burnt in fresh crisis in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

According to Daily Trust, Some students of Taraba State University, Jalingo, who fled the area, said they saw hundreds of people, including women and children, also running away from the area.

Chaos in Jalingo! Fire everywhere! Residents are fleeing their homes.

What's happening in Taraba State shows that Nigeria isn't safe.

It can happen anywhere in this country.

Let's Pray for Jalingo. pic.twitter.com/gpoClSZACy

— Seun Akinsanya (@mrboboskie) June 17, 2019

A traveler, Mallam Musa Dauda, who narrowly escaped, said he saw many houses burning.

Barnabas Francis, a resident of Kasuwan Bera, said to SaharaReporters on the telephone:

“Jalingo is on fire. Fulani herdsmen are on the rampage firing gunshots randomly here. We’re on the run.

“Some of our relations who escaped from Jauro-Sabai reported that many houses in the area have been razed, and from here we can see thick smoke billowing.”

Ishaku Danzumi, who also spoke with SaharaReporters, said, “Fulani herdsmen in droves have invaded ATC and Jauro-Sabai. They are firing shots everywhere. Only God can save us tonight.

https://twitter.com/realoladele/status/1140511492074299400

However, Police in Taraba could not categorically state the situation, as David Misal, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said the command has responded to a distress call from Yelwan-Tau, a community around ATC.

“I can’t confirm anything to you now, what I know for now is that we got a distress call from Yelwan-Tau and our men have been dispatched to tackle whatever security challenge in the area.

“So as it is, I can’t tell you anything about the impact or casualty issues, for now, please,” Misal said.