Taraba Clergy Sound Alarm Over Herdsmen Violence

Catholic priests and community groups in Southern Taraba State have raised urgent concerns over renewed waves of violence allegedly perpetrated by armed herdsmen across multiple communities under the Catholic Diocese of Wukari.

Speaking in Jalingo, Rev. Fr. John Laikel, Director of Social Communications for the diocese, described the situation as “devastating,” revealing that many rural parishes have been abandoned following persistent assaults that have claimed lives and destroyed entire villages.

“It is disheartening that attacks on innocent citizens keep happening despite government promises to stop the killings,” Fr. Laikel said. “The pattern of attacks in Southern Taraba shows a deliberate and calculated attempt by Fulani herdsmen to permanently take over these communities for grazing. Most victims are returnees who had only recently resettled after earlier displacements.”

He alleged that the attackers not only kill and burn homes but also graze cattle on farmlands and occupy deserted settlements. Fr. Laikel called on federal, state, and local authorities to “wake up to their constitutional responsibilities” of protecting lives and property, especially in areas close to military bases in Takum Local Government Area.

Similarly, Rev. Fr. George Dogo, Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Takum, criticized what he called the “indifference” of security operatives.

“When we alert security agencies, they often complain about a lack of personnel or fuel,” Fr. Dogo said. “Meanwhile, innocent people are being killed daily, villages are burned, and survivors are left with horrific injuries. It’s heartbreaking to see such disregard for human life.”

The renewed attacks have affected numerous border communities in Takum, including Dogon Gawa, Tor Gbenger, Jenuwa Nyifiye, Jenuwa Gaba, Jenuwa Gida, Jenuwa Ruwa, Jenuwa Nytsu, Kwari, Ribasi, Asuku, Mbakyula, Imbor, Mbaaga, Chakera, Hoyo, Mbayatsav, Genda, Ikyo-Dam, Angahar, Muji I & II, Kwariben, Nzuwaya, Tudun Haske, Tarhembe, and Tornyi.

The assaults have resulted in thousands of displaced persons, with farms destroyed and hundreds of homes razed. For instance, Asuku and Mbakyula villages saw two critical injuries and about 150 residents displaced, while Tor-Lijam, Akaajo, Abunde, and other villages were completely deserted, affecting roughly 560 people. Overall, more than 1,000 families have reportedly fled the affected communities, many taking refuge in Takum town and surrounding settlements.

In response, the Taraba Tiv Youth Development Forum urged Governor Agbu Kefas to deploy additional security personnel and establish military outposts in affected areas. The forum also called for emergency relief materials, including food, medical supplies, and shelter, and recommended a peace summit between Tiv and Fulani leaders to address lingering grievances.

“We also call on the government to arrest the perpetrators and their sponsors to face justice,” the forum stated. “The Federal Government and international partners should classify Taraba as a priority state under the National Livestock Transformation Plan to curb recurring conflicts between herders and farmers.”

The renewed attacks reflect a broader pattern of violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where armed herders, jihadist groups, and bandits have repeatedly targeted predominantly Christian farming communities. Human rights organisations, including Intersociety, report that thousands have been killed and hundreds of churches destroyed in Taraba, Benue, Plateau, and southern Kaduna over the past decade.

Fr. Dogo’s appeal underscores fears that the latest wave of violence could deepen the humanitarian crisis in Taraba, with security forces yet to issue an official statement.