Rt. Hon. Mark Bako Useni, representing Takum/Donga/Ussa Federal Constituency, has strongly condemned the killing of six passengers along the Takum-Wukari road in Taraba State.
“I condemn in strong terms the barbaric killing of 6 commuters along Takum-Wukari road. This unfortunate incidence is coming a few weeks after the Chief of Chanchanji was murdered together with his son on the same road,” Useni said in a statement.
Useni expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, saying, “My heart goes out to the families of the 6 victims of the dastard act.”
He also highlighted the growing concern of kidnapping for ransom, stating, “These criminal elements have also evolved a wicked strategy of following local farmers to their farm to kidnap for ransom, a situation which will aggravate the hunger being experienced in the land.”
Useni called for increased local intelligence and vigilance, saying, “I call on communities along the Taraba/Benue border on both sides to step up local intelligence and vigilance to make work easy for security agencies in protecting the areas.”
He commended Taraba State Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas for his prompt action on security concerns and urged synergy between Taraba and Benue state governments to tackle the problem.
Useni assured that he is working with his colleagues to support the governors in securing the area, saying, “As a Representative of the people, I am already reaching out to my colleagues of the two Federal Constituencies on the Benue side to offer our support to the two Governors to securing our people.”
He urged the affected communities to remain calm and allow security agencies to contain the situation.