By Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Ikyaior/Jendekyura communities in the Wukari LGA of Taraba state have raised concern over rising banditry activities in the area, particularly along the Chiina-Ikyaior axis of the Chinkai- Lafia road despite heavy security presence.
According to residents, between October 2025 to date, 14 Persons including, Mr. Agabuter Terngohor, Mr. Dongu Aondongu, Tsebo Terwase, Mr. Tyover Bumlum, Mr. Tyodoo Verior, Mr. Mnyianga Iorkyaa, Clement Tyona, Dooter Kyeemum, Mtindi Akaa, Veronica Tsenongu, Tordoo Philip, Tsenongu Mvendaga, Tyohemba Avee, and Mson Mesuega have been attacked around the area and killed, while others escaped with their motorcycles and other valuables taken away by the attackers.
The residents alleged that the activities were being perpetrated by one Angyu Yavini, a known bandit in the local government and his team.
A press statement signed by community leaders, chief Tyokyaa Felix and David Azuana also alleged that Angyu Yavini’s camp is few kilometers away from the usual point of attack.
The leaders called on Taraba state and the federal government to go after them for the safety of residents and commuters.
“Between October 2025 to date, 14 people from our community have been attacked by a know bandit Angyu Yavini, on the newly flag off Chinkai- Lafia road, along Chiina -Ikyaior axis despite heavy security presence. Just yesterday and today, Abgyu’s team attacked and snatched away three motorcycles belonging to our youths at the same point.
“Angyu Yavini has been severally spotted with some Fulani bandits during their operations.
“There are 8 security points including 3 military checks, yet Angyu consistently carried out his activities without a challenge.
“For over three months now, we have been living under constant fear of been attack by a know bandit Angyu. He operates along the Chiina-Ikyaior axis, turning what should be a public road into a deadly trap, despite presence of multiple security checkpoints, including well-armed military formations.
“These armed assailant’s camp is few kilometers away from the military checkpoint. He usually strike around 9:00pm down to 1:am, when the security operatives had left. He some time kidnapped, kill or snatch away motorcycle from commuters.
“The most worrisome part of his activities is that, it’s targeted at a particular ethnic, which we have seen as been coordinated, and is capable of igniting the Jukum/Tiv crisis in the area.
“The atrocities of Angyu Yavini and his allies have been severally reported to the security operatives but no decisive action or arrest has been made to prove the reality of security presence in the area.
“We call on the government to act fast and arrest Angyu Yavini, the know bandit. If this situation is not swiftly and properly controlled, it will inevitably lead to a serious disruption of traffic along this corridor, as many commuters may be forced to abandon the route due to fear of either been kidnap or kill, thereby undermining the development purpose of the road project.
“This silence and inaction are not only emboldening criminals but also undermining the genuine efforts of the Taraba State Government to restore safety and confidence along this critical road.
“We call on the relevant authorities in Nigeria to ensure immediate arrest of Angyu Yavini to liberate both residents and commuters”. They decried.
Citizenship Daily reports that the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army Jalingo had severally reported the growing activities of bandits along the road and had rescued some kidnapped victims in the area.
