Catholic clergy and community organizations in Southern Taraba State are raising urgent alarms over a fresh wave of deadly violence and killings, which they attribute to armed herdsmen operating within the Catholic Diocese of Wukari.
Devastating Impact on Rural Parishes
Speaking on Monday in Jalingo, the Director of Social Communications for the diocese, Rev. Fr. John Laikel, described the security situation as devastating. He revealed that many rural parishes have been completely abandoned following sustained assaults that have claimed multiple lives and razed entire villages to the ground.
"It is disheartening that attacks on innocent citizens keep happening despite government promises to stop the killings," Fr. Laikel lamented. He asserted that the pattern of violence in Southern Taraba indicates a deliberate and calculated attempt by Fulani herdsmen to permanently occupy these communities for grazing purposes. He noted that a majority of the victims are individuals who had only recently returned to resettle after being displaced by earlier conflicts.
Fr. Laikel alleged that the attackers not only kill residents and burn down homes but also freely graze their cattle on the farmlands of their victims. In some instances, they have reportedly occupied the now-deserted settlements.
Security Indifference and Calls for Action
The priest issued a strong call to federal, state, and local authorities to "wake up to their constitutional responsibilities" of safeguarding lives and property. He highlighted a particularly troubling detail: some of the attacked areas are located disturbingly close to military operational bases in the Takum Local Government Area.
"This raises serious concern about the willingness and capability of security agencies to stop the ongoing carnage," he stated, expressing deep frustration with the security response.
Echoing this sentiment, Rev. Fr. George Dogo, the Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church in Takum, voiced his frustration over what he termed the "indifference" of security operatives. He revealed that despite repeated warnings about impending attacks, the response has been inadequate.
"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."
Youth Forum Appeals for Intervention and Peace
In a related development, the Taraba Tiv Youth Development Forum has made a passionate appeal to Governor Agbu Kefas to deploy additional security personnel to the Chanchanji Ward of Takum LGA to prevent further bloodshed.
In a joint statement signed by the forum's President, Torkuma Lupet Moses, and Secretary, Uko Moses Wuaga, the group strongly condemned the renewed assaults on Tiv farming communities. They reported that the violence, which resumed last week, has already led to severe consequences:
- Over 1,000 families have been displaced.
- Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed.
The forum presented a multi-pronged appeal to the state government, urging it to:
- Establish additional military outposts in the affected areas.
- Provide emergency relief materials, including food, medical supplies, and shelter, to the displaced residents.
- Arrest the perpetrators and their sponsors to face justice.
The statement also called on Governor Agbu Kefas to facilitate a peace summit between Tiv and Fulani leaders to address the lingering grievances fueling the conflict.
Looking for a longer-term solution, the group further appealed to the Federal Government and international partners to classify Taraba as a priority state under the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP). This, they believe, would help curb the recurring conflicts between herders and farmers in the region.
