A Catholic Priest with St Peters Catholic Parish, Ahmadu, in Southern Taraba zone, Rev Fr. David Tanko was on Wednesday killed by unknown gunmen and his body burnt along with his vehicle.
Rev. Fr. Tanko was said to have been ambushed and killed between Kasuan Haske and Tortse on his way to Ahmadu from Takum where he had gone for a peace meeting with his fellow clergymen on how to resolve the Tiv and Jukun communal conflict.
Spokesman of Taraba State Police Command, DSP David Misal who confirmed the incident via described the incident as unfortunate.
The Chairman of Takum Local Government Area, Shiban Tikari who also spoke to newsmen alleged the attack was carried out by Tiv militias.
Also confirming the incident, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese, Jalingo, Most Rev. Charles Hammawa, condemened the killing of Rev. Fr. David Tanko by yet to be identified persons, describing it as brutal.
He said, “we receive.the news of his death with shock. This is sad. The diocese is mourning. “We have been preaching peace and making efforts to bring both parties in the crisis in the area to round table discussion. “For a priest who has been preaching peace to be killed in this most gruesome manner is pathetic to say the least because a priest belongs to all.
“The Police authority in the state have promised me that they are investigating the case, we pray that the perpetrators be brought to justice. “Our basic concern now is to give him a befitting burial. We don’t want any group to go on reprisal. Going on reprisal will only worsen the situation,” he said.
Hammawa also announced that the wake in honour of the priest will hold on Monday, while burial will take place on Tuesday next week at the Diocesean cemetery in Jalingo.