No fewer than 40 persons fleeing gunmen attack in Dampa village of Taraba state have drowned in Ibi Local Government Area of the state as a boat, conveying them, capsized.
File photo: Violence in Wukari, Taraba
According to report, unknown gunmen numbering over 100 from the neighboring Plateau State had stormed the village early in the morning, wrecking havoc, killing innocent villagers and inflicting injuries on others.
PUNCH reports that the incident happened on Wednesday, June 18.
An eyewitness said as the people were trying to flee from the violence to a nearby village, they got into a boat which unfortunately capsized, leading to their death.
Among those who drowned was a family of six and majority of the victims were said to be women and children as well as the elderly who could not swim.
The council chairman, Adamu Ishaka who confirmed the incident said, the boat mishap was caused by the attackers who shot several times at the boat.
He said marine police had been drafted to the area while he was still awaiting the report from the police.
This is coming on the heels of last Sunday’s ethno religious clashes in Wukari and Ibi local government areas of the state which left scores dead and many injured.
In April, 21 people had been killed and several others injured in a deadly clash between the Jukun and some Fulani herdsmen in Wukari area of the state.
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