Police Escort, Not Bandits Shot my Sister, Says Gov. Kefas

In a shocking revelation, Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has publicly corrected the narrative surrounding the tragic death of his younger sister, Atsi Kefas, who died in 2024.

Contrary to earlier reports that she was killed by bandits along the Wukari-Chinkai Road, the governor disclosed that the fatal shot was actually fired by a police escort assigned to protect their mother.

Governor Kefas made the revelation during a press briefing in Jalingo, the state capital, on Thursday, where he addressed various security concerns facing the state.

“Life is very precious to me. You can’t just end someone’s life and think God will be happy with you. My younger sister was shot and killed by a police escort who was inside the same bus with her,” the governor said with visible emotion.

When the tragic incident occurred in 2024, the death of Atsi Kefas was initially attributed to an attack by suspected bandits—an assumption widely circulated in local media and across social platforms.

However, further investigation and forensic examination revealed inconsistencies with that account.

Governor Kefas explained that his sister had been accompanying their mother on a trip from Jalingo to Abuja, when she was shot at close range inside the vehicle. Medical examinations later confirmed that gun pellets were found in her body, supporting the governor’s claim that the killing was not from a distant or random attack typical of banditry, but a targeted shot from within the vehicle.

The governor noted that the police officer involved in the shooting is currently under investigation, although no official statement has yet been released by the Taraba State Police Command regarding the matter.

“Justice must be served. You can’t take a life and expect to walk free, even if you wear a uniform,” he emphasized.

Governor Kefas vowed to pursue the matter until justice is achieved, adding that accountability in security operations is critical, especially for those in direct contact with the public and government officials.

Governor Kefas also addressed a separate, deadly incident that occurred in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area, where over 50 people were reportedly killed in a violent conflict.

The governor described the attack as “deeply disturbing” and announced plans to set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the root causes of the violence and recommend lasting peace solutions.

“We will not allow impunity or politically motivated violence to threaten our communities. A commission will be established to find out exactly what happened in Karim-Lamido, and those responsible will face justice,” he said.

The revelation has raised broader concerns about the conduct of security personnel, particularly those assigned as escorts or aides to government officials. Civil society organizations have urged both the police hierarchy and the state government to ensure transparency in the investigation and to prosecute any officer found culpable.

As of the time of this report, the Taraba State Police Command has not issued an official comment on the governor’s statement. Calls for clarification and transparency have grown louder as the public awaits the outcome of internal investigations.