Police investigate cleric, wife’s killing

Police in Taraba state have commenced investigation into the killing of a pastor, Mr. Joseph Tsafa, and his wife, Cecilia, by suspected robbers while they were on their way back to Taraba state after the NKST Church World-wide Choir conference held at Jaki, Kwande LGA of Benue state.
Blueprint gathered that the cleric, a retired police inspector and his wife were driving a Toyota picnic car back to their station in Nachi-Bali Classis in Taraba state when the incident occurred.
An eye witness account has it that: “He left the event venue with his wife, Cecilia Tsafa, the woman leader (Kwase-hemen) of NKST Nachi-Bali Consistory Women Fellowship, and Atese Anum (a pastor’s wife) on Friday evening for Zakibiam where they stayed through the night.
“Early Saturday morning, the couple set out for Bali LGA of Taraba state where they are based. In Katsina-Ala, they assisted two women who were heading towards their direction making their number, five in the vehicle.”

The couple reportedly passed a place called Gidan Gawa along Katsina-Ala-Takum road in Taraba state at about 9am on Saturday morning of December 3, 2016, the witness who did not want his name in print, narrated.
He said, the portion of the road where they were attacked was bad and vehicles needed to slow down to avoid accident or damage, however, some armed young men came out of the bush and ordered them to stop and they were attacked when they complied.
He said, what transpired leading to gunshots being fired could not be ascertained, however, the cleric and his wife were killed while the three passengers behind were spared.
Efforts to confirm extent of police investigation into the matter proved abortive at the time of going to press, as the police could not be reached, however, a police source said the remains of the couple had been deposited at a mortuary while efforts were on to arrest their assailants and bring them to book.