Catholic priests, youth group raise alarm over renewed killings in southern Taraba

Catholic priests serving in parishes across the southern part of Taraba State, under the Catholic Diocese of Wukari, alongside other concerned groups, have raised alarm over renewed large-scale killings and destruction of communities by suspected armed herdsmen.

Rev. Fr. John Laikei, Director of Social Communications for the Diocese of Wukari, told BusinessDay that several parish outstations have been completely abandoned following the latest wave of violence, which has left many residents dead and entire settlements destroyed.

Laikei, who serves in one of the affected parishes, said many residents have been displaced while several others are receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the attacks.

“It is disheartening that attacks on innocent citizens continue despite repeated government assurances to end the killings,” he said. “The pattern of attacks in Southern Taraba suggests a deliberate and calculated attempt to take over communities for grazing purposes.”

He expressed concern that many of the victims were returnees who had earlier fled similar attacks by the same herdsmen militia.

“In most of the affected communities, the attackers not only kill and destroy property but also graze their cattle on victims’ farmlands and, in many cases, occupy their villages,” Laikei added.

He called on federal and state authorities to “wake up to their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property,” noting that some of the attacked communities are located close to military bases in Takum Local Government Area.

“This raises serious concerns about the willingness and capacity of security agencies to stop the ongoing carnage,” he said.

Rev. Fr. George Dogo of Holy Family Parish, Takum, also confirmed that the attacks persisted despite prior warnings and security alerts.

“Even when we notify security agencies, they sometimes claim they lack personnel or fuel to respond,” Dogo said. “Innocent people are being killed daily, villages burnt down, and survivors left with horrific wounds. It is painful that authorities appear indifferent to these tragedies.”

Meanwhile, the Taraba Tiv Youth Development Forum (TTYDF) has called on Governor Agbu Kefas to deploy more security operatives to Chanchanji Ward in Takum LGA to prevent further attacks.

In a statement signed by its president, Comr. Torkuma Luper Moses, and secretary, Uko Moses Wuaga, the group condemned the renewed violence, saying over 1,000 families have been displaced while properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed.

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The group urged the state government to provide emergency relief materials, including food, medical aid, and shelter for displaced persons. It also called for the establishment of more military outposts to forestall future attacks.

“We urge the security agencies to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators and their sponsors. We also call on Governor Kefas to convene a peace summit between Tiv and Fulani leaders to address lingering grievances,” the group said.

The forum further appealed to the Federal Government and international partners to prioritise Taraba State under the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) as part of efforts to curb recurring farmer-herder conflicts.

Reports indicate that several communities, including Tse Uhembe, Tse Ugbaa, Yongogba, Gidin, Tse Adam, Tornyi, Unom, Sati Agia, Iorbume, Apiita, and New Gboko, have so far been destroyed in the ongoing attacks.