One Injured in Taraba as Animal Seizure Sparks Clash; Agency Chairman Denies Assault Allegation

By Nick Yashi

A dispute over the seizure of roaming animals during a monthly sanitation exercise escalated into a violent confrontation in Jalingo, Taraba State, leaving one person injured and prompting a security alert.

The fracas occurred when aggrieved youths from the Awoniyi Quarters area visited the office of the Taraba State Environmental Sanitation Agency (TSESA) to demand the release of their goats, which had been impounded during Saturday's statewide clean-up exercise. According to social media reports, the agency's chairman, Iliya Kefas, allegedly struck one of the visitors with an unidentified object, inflicting an injury.

However, Kefas has firmly denied the allegation, insisting that the injured man sustained his wound accidentally in the ensuing scuffle.

Speaking to journalists in his office on Tuesday, Kefas gave his account of the events: "We sent our boys to apprehend animals roaming around Awoniyi Quarters. They were harassed by the residents, and I had to go to the scene with my security team. I was insulted by the residents. I reported the incident to the mobile court, and they were arrested.

"On Saturday, during the sanitation exercise, some boys stormed my office with sticks. They complained that their goats were seized. I pleaded with them to return home and assured them I would look into their case. While I was addressing them, they attempted to assault me."

Kefas maintained that he did not strike anyone and that the injured man was hurt accidentally during the chaos. He emphasised that his agency's operations are lawful, backed by state legislation, and that extensive public sensitisation on the roaming-animal ban had been carried out over the past four months.

He also dismissed suggestions of personal vendetta, adding: "The community I live in can testify to my character. If I were not a good man, they would know. I have worked with hundreds of youths. If I wanted to use them against the community, I would have done it."

The Nigeria Police Command in Taraba has not officially confirmed the assault, but its spokesman, ASP Victor Msheliza, disclosed that the victim had reported the incident. He said the complainant, however, declined to honour an invitation from the police, and that the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for further action.