Church Threatens Self-Defence Amid Kidnappings, Banditry

The leadership of the Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church, UMC, has vowed to resort to self-defence if both the federal and Taraba State governments fail to ensure the immediate release of their kidnapped members.

The president of the church, Rev. Micah Dopa, urged the government on Thursday to, as a matter of urgency, address the escalating banditry activities in the state and expressed concern over the prolonged hostage situation.

He revealed that despite coughing out a whopping sum of N11 million to the kidnappers, they refused to set free the church’s members held hostage.

The church, which made its position known in a statement issued to journalists in the state, called on traditional rulers and political officeholders in the area (Yorro Council) to prove their innocence.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, UMC condemned the “ungodly, barbaric, heartless, evil, and senseless act of banditry” in Yorro, emphasising the economic and social impacts on the community.

Commending the efforts of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Agbu Kefas, and security operatives, UMC urged the Yorro community to collaborate with security agencies, emphasising that government alone cannot provide the needed security.

In response, the Taraba State Police command assured the public that strategies are in place to flush out bandits not only from Yorro but across the state.

Commissioner of Police Joseph Eribo appealed for calm and urged citizens to provide useful information to aid police action against kidnappers, cautioning against resorting to self-defence as it could lead to anarchy.

According to Dailypost, Clerics were among the several numbers of persons kidnapped in Dila and Pupule villages of Yorro Local Government Council a few days before Christmas.

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