Community Accuses Taraba Police of Extortion and Harassment, Calls on IGP to Investigate

By Ben Adaji, Jalingo

The residents of Bariki Lissa in the Yukuben community, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, have accused the Taraba State Police Command of extortion and undue harassment. The aggrieved community has urgently appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to establish an investigative panel to probe the allegations and restore justice.

The crisis traces back to December 12, 2024, when armed individuals from the neighboring Gatati village attacked Bariki Lissa, leaving a trail of destruction.

The assailants, allegedly acting under the orders of Emmanuel Jalo Zobdi—who claims leadership of the village—targeted the community over a chieftaincy and territorial dispute. Several residents, including a deaf man, Ikpeasan Abaga, alongside Kuru Adamu, Micah Lena, and Ikpe Bako, sustained serious injuries, while properties were vandalized.

The assailants, allegedly acting under the orders of Emmanuel Jalo Zobdi—who claims leadership of the village

Following the attack, the matter was reported to the Takum Divisional Police Headquarters, which promptly arrested several suspects, including Gambo Karma, Senior Gambo, Idi Yakubu, Alexander Moses, Habila Emmanuel, and Bitrus Kaigama.

Others, identified as Kayang Maigida, Sunday Danladi, Agyasa Alhassan, Godbless Megida, and Moses Sokoto Kunga, reportedly fled across the border into the Republic of Cameroon and remain at large. The detained suspects were held at the Takum Divisional Police Headquarters.

In a bid to restore peace, prominent local leaders—including the Chief of Takum, Barr. Sopiya Ahmadu Gboshi; the Takum II representative in the State Assembly, John Lamba; the Takum Local Council Chairman, John Ali Danjuma; and the Shibong Ward Councillor, Japheth Sanda Zaure—intervened.

They brokered an out-of-court settlement, stipulating that the attackers cover medical expenses, repair damaged properties, and pay compensation totaling N1.2 million. The agreement was endorsed by the Takum Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and community leaders, with Councillor Zaure tasked with collecting and distributing the funds to the victims.

However, the situation took a dramatic turn when the perpetrators, dissatisfied with the settlement, lodged a complaint with the Taraba State Police Command Headquarters in Jalingo.

They claimed they were coerced into paying the N1.2 million and demanded a refund. In an unexpected move, armed officers from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) bypassed the Takum Police Division and stormed Bariki Lissa.

They arrested the injured victims—including the deaf and mute Ikpeasan Abaga—and community leaders like Councillor Zaure, detaining them at the State CID.

The CID officers demanded that the victims refund the N1.2 million originally paid by the attackers

According to sources, the CID officers demanded that the victims refund the N1.2 million originally paid by the attackers. The police allegedly extorted N300,000 as bail money from the detainees, who were later released pending the full refund. Investigations revealed that the bail payment was facilitated through ASP Mure Audu Eric, with N100,000 paid in cash and N200,000 transferred to his Access Bank account (number 0011825454).

Following their release, Inspector Gambo and ASP Mure Audu Eric reportedly trailed the victims to Takum and forcibly seized the N1.2 million compensation funds.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Usman Abdullahi, confirmed the incident and stated that the Taraba State Police Command is investigating the matter.

Are they not part of the same force?

The victims of the December 12 attack, still reeling from their ordeal, expressed outrage at the police’s actions. Many questioned the apparent disconnect between the Takum Police Division and the State Command, asking, “Are they not part of the same force?” Councillor Japheth Sanda Zaure, a key figure in the peace process, joined the community in calling on IGP Kayode Egbetokun to investigate what they describe as “double standards and willful extortion” by the Taraba State Police Command.

As the people of Bariki Lissa await justice, their plea to the IGP underscores a growing demand for accountability and transparency within the police force in Taraba State.