Twelve people were killed in Zudai village near DogonRuwa community, Taraba State's Bali Local Government Area and ever since the event, there's been a controversy.

Micah Dakka (Caretaker Chairman of Bali Local Government) confirmed that 12 bandits were killed by vigilantes, but Mr Gidado Sabuzy (chairman of the vigilante group), disassociated them from carrying out the attack.

Dakka told journalists on Monday that 12 bandits were killed by vigilantes after they trailed the bandits from the neighbouring Gassol Local Government Area and overpowered them around Dogoruwa village of Bali Local Government

At a Jalingo press conference on Sunday, Mr Gidado Sbuzy, chairman of the vigilante organization in Gassol and Bali, separated the group from the attack against Zudai village, Bali, where 12 people were killed, and many others were injured.

Sabuzy stated that the group had nothing to do with the attack, and has no connection whatsoever with the perpetrators of this evil act as their mode of operation differs from this group.

“Our group is law-abiding and our efforts are to provide security in communities and foster unity among the people of these two Local Government Areas.

“We are always assisting security agencies in neutralising bandits and kidnappers in Gassol and Bali and not killing, miming or rustling their cattle.

“Many a time, our operations have yielded positive results as peace has returned in most villages of Gassol and Bali in particular and Taraba State in general before this barbaric act.

“Our group has brought peace between farmers and herders and businesses are going on day and night without hindrances.

“We are in full support of Governor Darius Ishaku’s peace mantra of, ‘Give me peace and I will give you development’. We, therefore, call on the Taraba State government and security agencies to look into the matter and fish out the perpetrators of this evil act to face justice for peace to reign,” Sabuzy appealed.

It is well