Four persons are now in police custody in Taraba State in connection with the latest killings in Lau Local Government Area of the state, the authorities said yesterday.
Police spokesman, David Misal, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), said 17 people were killed in the mayhem and dismissed as untrue, media reports that between 42 and 73 people died.
“The command wishes to state categorically that these publications are not a true reflection of the situation on ground,” he said in a statement.
“We can confirm that 17 persons have lost their lives in the unfortunate incident. While the gentlemen of the press are encouraged to do their job, there is the need to cross check their information before going to the press,” he said.
Misal said that one pump action riffle, Dane guns, bows and arrows as well as cutlasses were recovered from the suspects as exhibits.
He explained that 15 patrol teams comprising 100 personnel and another 50 Police Mobile Force operatives have been mobilised to the troubled zone to restore peace and normalcy.
