Gunmen burn Catholic priest alive

Admin l Thursday, August 29, 2019

TAKUM, Taraba, Nigeria – A Catholic priest, Reverend Father David Tanko was on Wednesday set ablaze after unknown gunmen ambushed his car at Kufai Amadu in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Eye witness said he was burnt alive inside his vehicle. The Reverend Father was burnt alive on his way to Takum for a peace meeting with his fellow clergymen to resolve ongoing Tiv, Jukun crisis. But he died before he could reach the venue.

Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Kufai Adamu Local government, Shiban Tikari identified the deceased as Reverend Father David Tanko. He was killed about 24 hours after gunmen raided villages in Taraba.

According to him, the attack was carried out by Tiv militias adding that several other attacks that have claimed lives and property in southern Taraba were also carried out by the group. He said the motive of the attacks remain unknown.

Taraba has witnessed series of attacks lately with the most recent one in Wukari local government areas of the state. Two persons were killed while a police officer was injured in the attack.

In neighboring Donga Local Government Area (LGA), a student of ECWA Seminary School, was in the early hours of Wednesday killed on his farm.