Gunmen kill Pastor’s wife in Taraba

Tragedy struck along the Wukari-Jootar highway in Taraba State as gunmen brutally killed Mrs. Oluwakemi Moses Konye, the wife of a pastor affiliated with the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The incident occurred on November 17, 2023, sending shockwaves through the community.

The Taraba Youths Transformation Initiative (TYTI) confirmed this devastating event via a Facebook post on Thursday, November 23, 2023.

In a statement penned by Emmanuel Yakubu, the Executive Director of TYTI, it was revealed that Mrs. Konye, a mother of one, was traveling from Akure to Taraba to reunite with her husband when the fatal attack took place.

The assailants opened fire on Mrs. Konye’s vehicle along the Wukari-Jootar highway, tragically claiming her life. Heartbreakingly, she was accompanied by her two-month-old child at the time of the attack.

Expressing deep concern over the recurring attacks in the area, the TYTI urged the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to address the escalating violence along the Wukari-Jootar federal highway, particularly at the intersection of Taraba and Benue State.

Mrs. Konye, a former Youth Corps member from 2019, had eventually settled in Taraba after her marriage to a pastor affiliated with the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Taraba Province 1.

The statement highlighted the distressing trend of unchecked attacks despite the presence of military and police checkpoints along the route. Notably, other citizens, including a senior consultant from the federal medical center in Jalingo, have faced similar harrowing incidents.

Calling for urgent intervention from authorities, the TYTI appealed to Senator David S.U Jimkuta, representing Taraba South at the National Assembly, to leverage his influence in addressing the pressing issue of insecurity along the highway.

The TYTI expressed its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and emphasized the need for swift action against the perpetrators.

The organization extended gratitude to Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas for his efforts in enhancing security in Taraba State, while also urging for increased collaboration with the Army and Air Force to safeguard the region.