The Arewa Youth Assembly for Good Leadership (AYAGL) has condemned the recent killing of a Takum indigene in Taraba state, whom they said was allegedly murdered by militia along the Katsina-Ala–Takum Road in Benue State.
Describing the incident as “brutal, heartbreaking and unacceptable”, the group in a statement issued to journalists on Monday, in Taraba said the victim was going about his lawful activities when he was attacked and killed on a road it described as a long standing death trap for residents of Takum local government of Taraba state and other travellers.
Signed by its national President, Ambassador Abdul Danbature,
AYAGL alleged that the Katsina-Ala–Takum Road has, for more than 11 years, been plagued by recurrent attacks, killings and insecurity, particularly targeting people from Takum.
The group said the continued violence has turned the corridor into a zone of fear, lawlessness and targeted killings.
They expressed concern that Nigerians, including security personnel, are routinely killed on the road without decisive intervention from relevant authorities, warning that the perceived silence and inaction have emboldened armed militias to operate with impunity.
“The latest killing is not an isolated incident but part of a persistent pattern of violence that has claimed many lives, displaced families and instilled fear across affected communities,” AYAGL said.
The group called on the governors of Benue and Taraba states, the federal government and security chiefs to urgently intervene to halt the violence and restore safety along the corridor.
Apart from calling for the immediate and permanent deployment of security personnel along the Katsina-Ala–Takum road, the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killings and their alleged sponsors, and the launch of joint security operations between Benue and Taraba states to dismantle militia networks operating in the area, they believed, have become necessary.
While urging the authorities to officially acknowledge what it described as repeated attacks on Takum people and to take concrete steps to ensure their protection, the group warned that continued failure to act decisively could deepen insecurity and undermine public confidence in governance and security.
The group stressed that every life lost represents a failure of the system.
Arewa Youths condemn killing of Takum indigene in Taraba
Source: Arewa Youths condemn killing of Takum indigene in Taraba
