Taraba State resides in a current state of unrest following the abduction, yesterday, of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Takum Local Council, Boyi Manja, by gunmen.

The incident also resulted in the police orderly of the kidnapped chairman being killed.

The gunmen took their chance when the chairman, his driver, and police orderly as they were driving along Wukari/Takum Road.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abdullahi Usman, confirmed the incident but could not give further details as of the time of this report.

According to the PPRO, the command was not fully briefed by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the council when it was informed of the attack.

He said: “I hope to get back to you as soon as we are fully briefed by the DPO in charge of Takum Local Council.”

The leader of Takum Legislative Council, Pius Gauva, also confirmed the incident saying: “It is true that our caretaker chairman has been kidnapped.”

He also confirmed that the gunmen gruesomely murdered the council boss’ orderly.

He urged security personnel to set up a mechanism that will enable the chairman’s safe release, calling the attack a “rude shock.” 

A family member, who also confirmed the incident, urged the state government to work with security agencies to rescue the council leader. 

Takum, Governor Darius Ishaku’s hometown, has been engulfed in a series of attacks that have resulted in deaths and property destruction for the past six months.