Taraba Killings: Ishaku to offset victims’ medical bills

The Taraba State Government has promised to foot all the medical bills of persons injured in the recent upheavals in Jalingo, the state capital.

The crisis, which erupted following the outcome of the governorship election, led to wanton destruction of lives and property, a situation that compelled the state government to imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on Jalingo metropolis.

Briefing journalists yesterday in Jalingo, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, represented by the Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Simon Dogari, assured the victims that government would settle their medical bills.

The governor, who alleged that the crisis was ignited by some politicians, saying: “There have been several cases of attacks on innocent and defenceless people in Jalingo by miscreants hired and armed by those who lost elections.

“Their intention is to create tension and anarchy in Jalingo and in the entire state, such that the impression would be created in and outside the state that the elections were not credible.”

The governor, who lauded the efforts of both the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Muslim Council of Nigeria for ensuring that the issue did not degenerate into religious crisis, said: “Peace has gradually returned to Jalingo. Government will continue to ensure that all law abiding people will be protected in order to go about their lawful activities without molestation.”

While appealing for peace in order to attract development to the state, Ishaku, urged the people, especially the youth, to refuse to be used as political thugs.