Bandits have taken over many villages in Gassol and Karim Lamido local government areas of Taraba State and forcefully sleep with house wives and young girls.
According to Daily Trust, the worst affected by the bandits’ activities is Kambari village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area, which is located on the bank of River Benue and not far away from the border of Plateau State.
The dare devil bandits were said to have forced the police and vigilante to abandoned their duty posts in that axis.
Sources said the bandits in the area forcefully sleep with house wives and young girls.
Residents of the town have resigned to fate as there is no any action from the authorities to checkmate the criminal activities.
Similarly, other villages in both Gassol and Karim Lamido local government areas located on the bank of River Benue are also under the threat of the terrorists.
Residents of six villages across River Benue, in Karim Lamido local government, were forced to relocated to other places because of criminal activities of the terrorists.
The villages include Gwammo, Wurno, Tungan Kaya, Gidan Kawoyel and Ali Kwala.
Similarly, WuroJam, Karar, Shika, Amar, Zip, WuruJam, Illela and Maigemu among others are now under the threat of the terrorists.
The bandits move freely day and night with their weapons in some of the affected villages and towns.
The terrorists have became lords to themselves and are kidnapping residents including housewives without any hindrance.
In some of the affected villages, young boys were said to have been recruited by the terrorists and are the ones informing the terrorists of houses of wealthy individuals.
Daily Trust reported that a resident of Kambari town who sought anonymity said that the bandits have taken over the town and it is now their operational base.
He said the bandits, who are are mostly from Zamfara and Katsina and number over 200, have forced residents to relocate to Mutumbiyu town and other places.
“There is no presence of police and vigilante in Kambari, terrorists are in total control of the town and they move freely with their arms,” he said.
A former resident of the area, who relocated to Mutumbiyu town, said it is no longer safe to stay in the town.
“We are under siege; we need the government to intervene by sending soldiers to chase out the terrorists because they are regrouping every day and also recruiting our young men,” he said.
He revealed that the terrorists are responsible of most of the kidnappings and killings in parts of Karim Lamido, Gassol and Bali local government areas of the state.
The aforementioned publication reported that findings revealed that the Army has been sent to Gassol district and has engaged the terrorists.
The terrorists reportedly suffered serious set back following deployment of soldiers and as result, some of them are relocating out of the area.
A resident of Gassol town, Malam Rabiu Saidu, who spoke vis telephone interview said that the arrival of soldiers in Gassol district has brought relief to the people.
He said the soldiers are doing a good job as many of the terrorists are now moving out but urged the soldiers to extend their operation to Kambari and other areas across River Benue.
The state police spokesperson, DSP Usman Abdullahi, said the Police Divisional office in Karim Lamido did not send any report that terrorists have taken over any village or town in the area.
“If it is true that terrorists have taken over Kambari town or any other village, why didn’t residents inform the police?” he said.