The Clergy of Tiv Extraction Forum in Bali and Gashaka Local Government Areas of Taraba State is asking for the capture and legal action against those responsible for the deaths of Pastor Jacob Abah, his wife, son, and seven others in an assault on a bus in Donga Local Government Area of the state last week.
Speaking at a media briefing in Jalingo on Saturday, the head of the forum, Nathaniel Saawua, stated that apart from the individuals who were killed, those who were hurt in the attack have been left to pay their medical expenses as no government official has visited them in the hospital or reached out to their families.
Saawua expressed his disappointment with the government's ongoing silence about the issue.
He remarked, “We are deeply saddened to come forward and speak to you today about the events that followed the recent cruel and barbaric killing of Rev. Abah Jacob and his wife, Marian Abah along with several other people by Ichen Militia on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at Mararaba in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State.
“Rev. Abah Jacob, prior to his murder, served as a pastor with The African Church, Kyado Archdeaconry, assigned to The African Church Adi Parish in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State. But since the brutal murder, it seems that nobody is concerned because the families of the victims have not been contacted by the authorities and no government official from Bali or Donga local government Councils has visited them.
“It is truly distressing to learn that those who were injured but miraculously survived were admitted to the General Hospital Bali. One person has passed away in the hospital, and some of them have little or no means to cover the costs of the treatments they are receiving. This is happening even as some have resigned themselves to fate as they have no resources to sustain their stay at the hospital
“While we bring attention to the authorities’ indifference to this distressing and unfortunate situation, we urge compassionate individuals who are moved by this incident to help these victims and the bereaved by providing them with support to alleviate some of their physical and emotional suffering.”
While praising the efforts of the police in Bali Division who helped in the removal of the bodies of the victims who were ambushed and killed between Gankwe and Mararaba in Donga Local Government for burial, the forum requested a thorough investigation into the commuters' murders.
Attempts to reach the state Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, Zainab Jalingo, for a response to the accusation of government neglect regarding the victims were unsuccessful as her phone was unreachable at the time of this report.
The state governor, Agbu Kefas, after the attack last week through the Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, denounced the attack and instructed a thorough investigation into the assault.
