Reports confirm that late on Thursday night, unidentified gunmen brutally murdered third-class chief Abdulmutalib Nuhu at Sensani Village in the Gasol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Nuhu’s tragic death occurred just a few hours before the commencement of the Nwonyo Fishing and Cultural Festival, an event organized by the Taraba State Government in the Ibbi Local Government Area.
Ibbi is the ancestral home of Hamisu Bala, also known as Wadume, a notorious convicted gun trafficker who was recently released from prison.
The attackers invaded Sensani village around 9 pm on Thursday, making their way straight to the traditional ruler’s palace located a short distance from Ibbi, where the festival was scheduled to take place.
Despite the unsettling incident, the Taraba State Government has assured attendees traveling to the festival of enhanced security measures during the event.
Speaking to reporters, Nuhu Sanseni, the slain chief’s elder brother, recounted how the gunmen, armed and riding motorcycles, fatally shot his brother and fled with his phones.
“Around 9 pm last night, they arrived in the area, proceeded to his palace, and executed the heinous act before robbing him of his phones. As they departed, they encountered a young man on a motorcycle whom they also shot, injuring his leg before leaving the village,” Sanseni narrated.
A reliable source within the police force confirmed that officers were actively pursuing the perpetrators in Sansani’s case.
When reached for information, Acting Police Public Relations Officer ASP James Lashen mentioned that he was en route to the office at the time of the report on Friday.
“I am not currently briefed. I am en route to the office; once I have an update, I will share it with you,” clarified Lashen.