Suspected bandits attacked Garbatau, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, leading to the death of a farmer, identified as Alhaji Mai Wanda Maibultu, while six others were kidnapped.

The incident, which occurred over the weekend, saw Maibultu, a prominent large-scale farmer in the area, attacked on his farm. The six other victims were reportedly kidnapped from Garbatau village, a farming community nestled between two mountains, a few kilometers from Garba Chede town.

Residents disclosed that the kidnappers have contacted the families of the abducted farmers, demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release.

Adamu Dauda, a resident of Maihula town, noted that this was not the first time such an incident had occurred, recounting how last year, hundreds of kidnappers invaded the area, abducting several farmers and halting their crop harvests.

“This time, the farmers were in the process of harvesting their crops, but the kidnappers have disrupted it again,” Dauda lamented, expressing frustration over the recurring attacks.

The incident has sparked renewed concerns over the persistent insecurity in the region, which continues to jeopardize the livelihood of farmers and the food supply chain in the state.