JALINGO: The Taraba State Police Command has arrested suspects connected to the murder of three policemen and a vigilante leader in Tor Damisa, Donga Local Government Area. The arrests come amid escalating insecurity across Taraba State and the wider North East region, which continues to grapple with banditry, communal clashes, and attacks on security personnel.
The suspects, Suleman Abdullahi (30) and Idris Kauri (33), hail from Akente village in Donga Local Government and were apprehended after intelligence-led operations and consultations with community stakeholders.
Briefing journalists after parading the suspects, Commissioner of Police Morkwap S. Dongshal, who assumed office shortly after the killings, confirmed the recovery of the three service rifles belonging to the slain officers. He added that the command is still pursuing other suspects at large and vowed to bring them to justice regardless of where they hide in Nigeria.
The arrested men reportedly provided crucial information that will assist the police in apprehending additional suspects involved in the ambush.
In a related security operation, two more suspects were arrested for possession of 304 rounds of live ammunition.
The men, Torme Terzugwe (39) from Kwande Local Government, Benue State, and Job David from Toungo Local Government, Adamawa State, were intercepted at Yonko village in Zing Local Government Area while riding an unregistered motorcycle en route to Ganye, Adamawa State. Investigations into their activities remain ongoing.
Since taking office just a week ago, CP Dongshal has implemented a series of proactive security initiatives to address the recent surge in violence, particularly in Taraba’s southern zone. He visited Kofai Ahmadu and Chanchanji in Takum Local Government Area, which have experienced multiple violent attacks, and engaged with traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth groups to strengthen local security networks.
From Takum, the CP proceeded to Tor Damisa, the site of the recent ambush that claimed the lives of the policemen and vigilante leader. Meetings with Tse Kwe Tor Damisa, the traditional ruler, facilitated the arrest of some suspects and reinforced collaborative efforts to safeguard communities.
Security experts note that Taraba State, like other parts of the Northeast, faces persistent threats from armed bandits, kidnappers, and communal militias. Civilians frequently report harassment, property destruction, and ambushes, with rural communities bearing the brunt of these attacks. The ambush in Tor Damisa underscores the vulnerability of both security personnel and local vigilantes, who often serve as the first line of defense in remote areas.
Residents in affected communities express growing concern over their safety, citing sporadic attacks, illegal roadblocks, and indiscriminate shootings. The inability of security forces to fully secure rural roads and border areas has heightened anxiety among civilians, many of whom are now reluctant to travel or send children to school in volatile regions.
CP Dongshal acknowledged the gravity of these challenges, stating that the police command is intensifying intelligence gathering, joint patrols, and collaboration with traditional and community leaders to stem violence. He stressed that apprehending suspects is only part of the solution, emphasizing the need for sustained community engagement and development initiatives to reduce the appeal of criminal networks in the state.
While the arrests signal progress in the fight against violent crime in Taraba, security analysts warn that coordinated efforts from federal and state authorities are crucial to tackling the systemic insecurity affecting the North East. Civilians continue to call for enhanced protection, rapid response mechanisms, and accountability for attacks targeting both law enforcement and ordinary citizens.
As investigations continue, CP Dongshal reiterated his commitment to ensuring justice for the slain officers and vigilante leader, vowing to hold all perpetrators accountable and strengthen measures to protect lives in Taraba State and beyond.
