Taraba: Controversy over influx of strange people

When Senator Emmanuel Bwacha representing Taraba South Senatorial District in the National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) raised a point of order drawing the attention of the Police and the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria to what he called an “impending war” in Taraba, not many understood the magnitude of the senator’s complaint. The senator’s concern was hinged on the reports of massive influx of strange people into Taraba and the atrocities allegedly being committed by them. Those who might have misunderstood Bwacha or known little about development in Taraba took to the social media raining abuses and insults on him. One of such persons who many believed would have known better about the development, but chose to openly confront Senator Bwacha over the issue was his counterpart, Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf representing Taraba Central in the Senate on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Police had earlier confirmed that Bali and Gassol which are part of Taraba Central where Senator Yusuf is currently representing have been playing host to strange people. But rather than support Senator Bwacha and seek investigation, Senator Yusuf, coming through a point of order a week after Bwacha’s raised the alarm described Senator Bwacha as an alarmist.

Yusuf said he called the Commissioner of Police of Taraba State and the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) who told him there was nothing like that happening in Taraba. He then cautioned Bwacha to be careful about raising such alarm in the future. Yusuf’s position sparked fireworks in Taraba with various groups calling for his arrest and investigation over his denial that there were influx of strange people into the state. One of the groups, Taraba Mandate group for good governance, regretted that instead of Senator Yusuf to support his brother for a thorough investigation into the matter, he chose to play politics with the lives of the people. Worried by this controversy, National Mirror took on the Commissioner of Police of Taraba State, CP Shaba Alkali, who confirmed the report of massive influx of strange people in the state. Mr. Alkali denied the claim by Senator Yusuf that he (Commissioner) confirmed to him there were no influx of people into Taraba and warned politicians not to drag him into politics.