Bandits have abducted sixteen individuals, including a Catholic priest, Rev. Cletus Baleri, in Zing Local Government Area of Taraba State.

It was gathered that the gunmen in their numbers attacked Dekko, Lama and Monkin villages in the early hours of Saturday, February 17 and abducted 16 people.

It was learnt that many of the villagers sustained gunshot wounds while trying to escape into the mountains during the attacks.

The gunmen who rode on motorcycles were said to be numbering over 100.

Spokesman of Taraba State Police Command, SP Usman Abdullahi, confirmed the attack on Sunday but said he was waiting for details and actual number of people abducted from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Zing LGA.

Among those kidnapped are :

1. Rev. Cletus Baleri
2. Ceto Alfred
3. Bege Mark
4. Felix Shawulu
5. Jacob Bayu
6. Anatus Luka
7. Timothy Abraham
8. Yasida Emmanuel
9. Tsaro Solomon
10. Oldboy Yohanna
11. Rejoice Abraham
12. Mercy Cleopas
13. James Irimiya
14. Bulus Timothy
15. Yohanna Linus
16. Evelyn Yohanna