Tension in Jalingo Over Spate of Kidnapping

 

Residents of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, have been living in fear over the spate of kidnappings in the Mayo-Dassa area of the town as 14 people have been kidnapped within the last eight days around Mayo-Dassa Primary school, Gulum, and Air Street, both within the Mayo-Dassa area of Jalingo.

Our Correspondent gathered that the kidnapped victims are mostly businessmen and successful farmers, but the most prominent among them is a major distributor of an international brewery company in the state.

A house owner, Mr Akuwe Habu, told newsmen that two of his tenants who are businessmen have relocated to other areas that they believe are safer within the town despite renewing their rent a few months ago.

“Two of my tenants who renewed their rent not up to four months, have packed to another area within Jalingo following the waves of kidnapping here in Mayo-Dassa.

“Just within the last eight days, 14 people have been kidnapped and no contact has been established with their families for ransom negotiation. Those kidnapped so far are businessmen and successful farmers.

“As soon as it is 7 pm, the Mayo-Dassa Primary school, Air Street, and Gulum areas become a (No Go ), areas and the situation has created a lot of fear even in those living around the market side.

“90 percent of well-to-do individuals are no longer sleeping in their houses. They only come around in the daytime and disappear as soon as it is 5 pm in fear of being kidnapped,” he said.  

A businessman who identifies himself as Chris disclosed that he has moved his wife and three kids to Yola, Adamawa State where his elder sister and husband are, adding that he has been staying with his secondary schoolmate whom they both schooled in Jos, Plateau State.