Gunmen, numbering about 30 on motorbikes opened fire on traders in the Jauro Manu Market in the Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba, Northeast Nigeria on Sunday afternoon, killing at least four people.
It was gathered that they also kidnapped six people as traders ran with their goods into a nearby bush.
The third attack on the town, according to a resident named Umar Tasiu, resulted in the deaths of 12 people.
In another incident, bandits are said to have kidnapped 14 travelers along the Mutumbiyu-Wukari Road on Sunday near Benbel in the same Gassol LG at around 2pm.
It was discovered that motorcycle-riding robbers had blocked the route at Benbel Village, kidnapped some travelers, and stolen their belongings. A truck and four more vehicles were still at the accident scene.
The truck driver’s brother told news reporters that the kidnappers had contacted and demanded a N30 million ransom.
The crimes were confirmed by Taraba’s police spokesman, DSP Kwache Bajabu Gambo.
She claimed that an investigation was proceeding, the bandits’ blockage of the road had been lifted, and traffic had resumed.
Recall, on Saturday, the head of Yukuben Chiefdom in Takum local government area of Taraba State, chief Udeng Ibrahim who was reportedly kidnapped alongside his son, Musa Ibrahim, has on Saturday found dead.
Meanwhile, the Taraba state police command says at least thirty of its personnel have been killed in various bandit attacks in the state.
The crises have claimed over 250 lives, destroyed property worth millions of naira, and left 25 villages desolate.