Gunmen killed priest, set him and car ablaze

Gunmen killed a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. David Tanko, on Thursday in Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State of Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Local Government, Mr Shiban Tikari, who confirmed the killing said the bandit killed, set the priest and his vehicle on fire after being ambushed on his way to a meeting to resolve the crisis between the Tiv and their Jakun neighbours in Kufai Amadu community in Takum.

Tikari said that Tanko was an indigene of Wukari Local Government Area of the state.

He pointed people he described as Tiv militia for the killing, alleging that the militia was responsible for other attacks that had claimed lives and property in Southern Taraba.

Efforts to speak to the police authority proved abortive as calls and text messages sent to the police spokesman, Mr David Misal, were not responding.

Taraba State has witnessed series of deadly attacks in recent months with the most recent taking place in the Wukari Local Government Area of the state.

Donga and Takum Local Government Areas have also witnessed bloody incidents.

Many people in Tor-Damsa community in Donga Local Government have been rendered homeless, following relentless attacks by militia groups.


NAN