Mr. Bala Dan-Abu the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Darius Ishaku on Media and Publicity has stated that a helicopter full of arms and ammunition landed in Jibu village, near Ibi along the River Benue.
The supplied are allegedly for a militia group that might be planning an attack on Taraba villages.
“This system of arms delivery was used prior to the tragic attacks in Agatu communities in Benue State last year, which led to the killings there.
When it was reported, nothing was done to trace and arrest the owners of the helicopter.
That strategy works for them in Agatu and they are using it again today.
This may be another planned militia attacks on the people of Taraba in the offing.” Dan-Abu stated.
The Hon. Josiah Aji representing Wakari II Constituency in the State House of Assembly, in an interview with the PUNCH on Sunday stated he has contacted the chairman of Wukari LGA Hon Daniel Adi.
The Hon. Daniel Adi said they were gathering intelligence on the incident and he has sent a surveillance team to the village who will get back to him with a detailed report.
However, residents of the area have stated either there was no helicopter or like one resident who remains anonymous stated:
“There was rumour recently that arms were being ferried across River Benue in the area to Banteje, a town along Wukari-Jalingo road, but I cannot confirm to you whether a helicopter landed in our village or not, because I have been in Wukari town for the past two days.”
Another who named himself as Ahmed said “If a helicopter landed here, it will not be hidden, given the noise associated with helicopters. Maybe I was asleep when the helicopter landed.”
ASP, David Misal has dismissed the landing as false: “For now, the information remains a mere rumour, but we have our men there. As soon as we have further information about the issue, I will get back to you.”