Bandits have again attacked the Garbatau community in Bali Local Government Area, Taraba State, killing a farmer and kidnapping six others. The recent attack took place in a farming settlement nestled between two mountains, making it a secluded area vulnerable to such threats.
The victim, Alhaji Mai Wanda Maibultu, a prominent farmer known for his large-scale operations, was working on his farm when the bandits struck. They shot and killed him, disrupting the farming activities that are critical to the region’s economy, especially as the harvest season approaches. Along with Maibultu, the bandits abducted six other local farmers, causing widespread fear and panic in the community.
Sources say the bandits have since contacted the families of the kidnapped victims, demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release. The shocking nature of this attack is not an isolated incident, as similar crimes have plagued the area in recent years.
Adamu Dauda, a resident of the neighboring Maihula town, told DAILY POST; “similar attacks occurred around this time last year when hundreds of kidnappers invaded the area, abducting dozens of farmers and disrupting the harvest season.”
This recurring violence has left the farming community in deep distress, as many fear for their safety and the future of their livelihoods. With agriculture being the main source of income in the area, the ongoing insecurity is severely hampering the productivity of local farmers.
