Residents of Bariki Lissa in Yukuben Community, located in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, have raised alarm over alleged extortion and harassment by the Taraba State Police Command.
They are now appealing to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to launch an investigation into the matter.
The crisis began on December 12, 2024, when armed individuals from Gatati, a neighboring village, launched an attack on Bariki Lissa. The assailants, allegedly acting on the orders of one Emmanuel Jalo Zobdi, were said to be fighting over chieftaincy and territorial control. Several residents, including a deaf man named Ikpeasan Abaga, along with Kuru Adamu, Micah Lena, and Ikpe Bako, sustained serious injuries, and properties were destroyed.
Following the attack, the incident was reported to the Takum Divisional Police Headquarters, leading to the arrest of several suspects. Those apprehended included Gambo Karma, Senior Gambo, Idi Yakubu, Alexander Moses, Habila Emmanuel, and Bitrus Kaigama, while others fled to Cameroon. However, some accomplices, such as Kayang Maigida, Sunday Danladi, Agyasa Alhassan, Godbless Megida, and Moses Sokoto Kunga, remain at large.
In an effort to restore peace, local leaders, including the Chief of Takum, Barr. Sopiya Ahmadu Gboshi, the member representing Takum II in the State Assembly, John Lamba, the Takum Local Council Chairman, John Ali Danjuma, and the Shibong Ward Councilor, Japheth Sanda Zaure, intervened. They facilitated an out-of-court settlement, where the attackers agreed to cover medical bills and property damages totaling N1.2 million. The money was handed over to the victims for treatment and repairs.
However, after making the payment, the attackers filed a complaint at the Taraba Police Command in Jalingo, claiming they were coerced into paying the compensation. This led to a shocking turn of events as officers from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) bypassed the Takum Police Division and stormed Bariki Lissa. They forcefully arrested the deaf victim and other injured individuals, along with community leaders, and detained them at the state CID.
The victims were allegedly forced to refund the N1.2 million paid by the attackers. Additionally, the police reportedly extorted N300,000 as bail money from the victims before releasing them. The payment was allegedly made through ASP Mure Audu Eric, with N100,000 in cash and N200,000 transferred to an Access Bank account registered in his name.
Upon their release, the victims were trailed back to Takum by Inspector Gambo and ASP Mure Audu Eric, who allegedly forcefully collected the N1.2 million compensation from them.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Usman Abdullahi, confirmed that the matter was under investigation. Meanwhile, the Shibong Ward Councilor, Japheth Sanda Zaure, and other community leaders are pleading with the IGP to set up a panel to ensure justice is served.
The people of Bariki Lissa are left questioning whether the Takum Police Division operates independently from the Taraba State Police Command as they continue to seek justice for the attack and the alleged extortion.