It was a miracle that I survived Kuje prison attack –Jolly Nyame

‘I said my last prayer during sustained gunshots’

Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo

Former Governor of Taraba State, Rev. Jolly Tavoro Nyame (Dabban Yorro), has narrated his close shave with death during the attack on Kuje Prison in Abuja by Boko Haram terrorists saying that he already said his last prayer following ceaseless gunshots by the attackers.

He said: I had only heard the sound of an AK-47 rifle and a small pistol in my life until that day. On that day, the gunshots I heard were terrible. To be honest with you, I had to say my last prayers that day, because the sound and what we were passing through emotionally made me so scared.

“I couldn’t believe I would be alive to see the following morning; so, I had to say my last prayers, but God in His infinite mercy saw me and others through that life-threatening experience”.

Speaking with Daily Champion recently, Nyame, who was granted state pardon by President Muhammadu Buhari alongside a former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye this year commended Mr. President for the gesture.

He stated this during a ceremony to mark his 67th birthday in Jalingo, capital of Taraba State.

“I learned a lot from the Kuje prison, it is my prayer that after the 2023 general election,  this country will be a better for us.

“When I came to the state, I realised that Taraba State is divided along religious and tribal grounds. We need good leaders and by the grace of God, they will emerge.

“I will assist you to chose the best leaders, not the type of leaders that after voting them, you will not see them until another election time. We need leaders that would be with you and not those that would run away from you.

“We don’t have any other State from Taraba State, therefore we should not divide the state on religious and tribal grounds”, he added.

He said that as a Christian, he will not allow any sentiment to take him away from his faith.

“If anyone is going towards direction that we will not benefit, then there is no need for politics . When I left the state, it was only PDP, thought there was APC but was not strong” he noted.