At least 30 people have been confirmed dead and scores displaced following fresh attacks on Munga and Magami villages in the Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The assaults, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, were reportedly carried out by suspected armed herders. Eyewitnesses described scenes of devastation as homes were set ablaze and properties destroyed, forcing residents—many of them women, children, and the elderly—to flee for safety.
The latest violence has heightened concerns over the state’s security challenges, coming on the heels of the recently concluded Taraba Investment Summit. The high-profile event, which drew prominent figures including Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, aimed to promote economic growth in the region. However, the renewed bloodshed has cast a dark shadow over the summit’s message, prompting criticism of the government’s response to insecurity.
Survivors and community members have voiced frustration over what they perceive as delayed and insufficient government action. Many criticized Governor Agbu Kefas for not visiting the affected communities, drawing unfavorable comparisons with Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, known for his swift and hands-on crisis response.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications, Emmanuel Bello, Governor Kefas condemned the attacks as “horrendous and unacceptable,” and pledged justice for the victims.
“The security of our citizens remains my top priority,” the governor said. “We have activated all necessary security mechanisms to prevent further violence and to ensure those responsible are apprehended.”
The governor also urged residents to stay alert, cooperate with security forces, and report any suspicious activity, promising that his administration is taking decisive steps to restore peace.
The Taraba State Police Command confirmed the attacks, attributing the violence to tensions sparked by a prior incident in which a 15-year-old boy, Isah Ishaku of Munga Doso, was reportedly attacked with a machete while farming.
Police spokesperson James Leshen stated that a combined force of regular police officers and Police Mobile Force (PMF) operatives had been deployed to the area. He added that security patrols are ongoing and that dialogue with community leaders is underway to ease hostilities.
As investigations continue, residents are calling for long-term security reforms and a more proactive approach from the state government to prevent further bloodshed in the increasingly volatile region.