Senior Nursing Staff at Specialist Hospital Jalingo, Fidelis Laakoshon, Allegedly Injured During Dispute Over Seized Goats

JALINGO, TARABA STATE — The Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental Sanitation Agency (TSESA), Mr. Iliya Kefas, has been accused of assaulting and allegedly stabbing a resident of Abuja Phase 1, Jalingo, Mr. Fidelis Laakoshon, during a confrontation at the agency’s office.

Laakoshon, who is a senior nursing staff member at the Specialist Hospital, Jalingo, was reportedly at the TSESA office alongside some residents and youth representatives of Abuja Phase 1 following the seizure of goats belonging to residents of the area.

According to Laakoshon and other residents who spoke about the incident, officials of TSESA had earlier seized some goats allegedly found roaming within Abuja Phase 1 and taken the animals to the agency’s premises.

The owners of the animals, accompanied by some youth leaders, reportedly went to the TSESA office to discuss the matter with the agency’s chairman and seek the release of the animals.

According to the account of those present, an argument reportedly developed between Mr. Kefas and the Assistant Youth Leader of the area. The chairman allegedly accused the youth leader of assaulting him and reportedly threatened to take the matter to court.

It was during the ensuing exchange, according to witnesses, that Fidelis Laakoshon, one of the residents whose goat had reportedly been seized, intervened.

Laakoshon was said to have appealed to the chairman to remain calm, reminding him that he was a senior government official and should avoid resorting to violence.

However, according to the victim and witnesses, Mr. Kefas allegedly struck Laakoshon in the face with an object he was holding, causing a deep wound from which blood reportedly began to flow heavily.

Witnesses were unable to immediately establish the exact object that caused the injury. Some suggested it could have been a set of car keys or a mobile phone allegedly in the chairman’s hand at the time. This aspect of the incident remains unverified.

Following the incident, Laakoshon was reportedly rushed to a hospital for medical attention because of the severity of the injury. He was also said to have proceeded to the police station to formally report the matter.

Residents of Abuja Phase 1 who spoke on the incident expressed concern over the alleged conduct of the TSESA chairman, arguing that disagreements between government officials and members of the public should be resolved through dialogue and lawful procedures rather than physical confrontation.

They called for an impartial investigation into the incident and urged the relevant authorities to establish exactly what transpired at the TSESA office.

The incident has also generated questions about the manner in which environmental sanitation officials enforce regulations relating to roaming livestock in residential areas.

While the government has the responsibility to enforce environmental and sanitation regulations, residents insist that such enforcement must be undertaken within the confines of the law and with respect for the rights and dignity of citizens.

NewsNexus has not independently established the circumstances surrounding the injury to Mr. Laakoshon or the precise object that allegedly caused it. The allegations against Mr. Iliya Kefas remain allegations and are subject to investigation.

As of the time of filing this report, Mr. Iliya Kefas had not publicly responded to the allegation. NewsNexus is willing to publish his response or clarification should he make one available.

The police authorities have also yet to publicly disclose the outcome of any investigation into the reported incident.