Taraba: Police Trails Ex-LG Boss over Killing of Lawmaker

Wole Ayodele in Jalingo

The Taraba State Police Command is currently on the trail of former Chairman of Takum Local Government Area, Hon. Shiban Tikare, over the killing of a member of Taraba State House of Assembly, Bar Hosea Ibi.

The State Police Commissioner, CP. David Iloyanomon, disclosed this while briefing journalist in Jalingo yesterday.

Iloyanomon stated that the former chairman is presently on the run but could definitely not escape arrest.

The Chief Judge of the State, Justice Joel Agya, while sentencing two accused persons arraigned for killing Hosea Ibi in January 2018 expressed dismay that Tikare was not arraigned in court despite the accused persons mentioning his name as mastermind of the killing.

Ibi was abducted in December 2017 in Takum and his body was later found in a bush in January 2018 after being killed by his abductors after collecting N30m ransom.

Justice Agya, who expressed disappointment over the non-arraignment of Tikare directed the State Police Command to effect the arrest of the former chairman and produce him in court to face justice.

According to the Iloyanomon, “we are on his trail. I learnt he has relocated from the state to an unknown destination but there is a manhunt for him. He will surely be arrested no matter how long.”

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police said that a total of 28 suspects have been arrested in the past four weeks for various offences ranging from kidnapping, culpable homicide, armed robbery, illegal possession of arms, cybercrimes, banditry, criminal conspiracy, theft, and cattle rustling.

Several items including AK 47 rifles and other brands of arms, ammunition, locally made rifles, motorcycles, tricycles, cattle, cash and other items were recovered from the suspects.

Among the suspects, according to the police boss, were the abductors of students of Federal University, Wukari, some weeks ago.

According to Iloyanomon, “there is no doubt that the police command, leveraging the support and cooperation of security agencies in the state and the good people of Taraba State, have worked assiduously to fight head-on all forms of criminality with remarkable achievements.

The commissioner, however, revealed that members of a patrol team who turned down a bribe of N8 million have been rewarded by the Inspector General of Police, IGP. Kayode Egbetokun, for their professionalism and dedication to duty.

He urged other officers and men to emulate their good conduct just as he expressed appreciation to the governor of the state, Dr. Agbu Kefas, for his support to the police and other security agencies in the state which have contributed immensely to the numerous successes being recorded in policing the state.