Fear grips Taraba community as suspected herdsmen threaten new attack

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

Fresh tension has gripped Tor-Damisa community in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State following alleged threats of a new attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The Ugondo Mdema Development Association, UMDA, raised the alarm on Sunday in Jalingo, saying intelligence at its disposal indicates that the suspected militia are planning another deadly assault on the community.

Chairman of UMDA, Mr. Joel Iorember, told journalists that thousands of residents have already started fleeing Tor-Damisa to neighbouring communities for safety.

“As I speak, they have already chased away our farmers and destroyed their crops and farmlands. This is the second time our people are being displaced this year,” Iorember said.

He noted that residents have in recent times suffered repeated attacks on their farms by suspected Fulani herdsmen, with some killed and others still receiving treatment for injuries sustained.

The UMDA Chairman also decried the displacement of returnee IDPs and the destruction of farmlands, adding that despite repeated reports to security agencies, the attacks have continued.

He further disclosed that troops of the Nigerian Army stationed in Abako, along the Taraba-Benue border, recently raided a suspected militia camp in Tsav-Nomchongo village, Abako Tor-Damisa, where a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered.

According to him, the planned attack is allegedly linked to claims by the herdsmen that two of their cows were stolen around Tor-Damisa.

“The intelligence at our disposal suggests that the suspected Fulani militia have planned to carry out another deadly attack on Tor-Damisa community. Our sources reveal that they are using the alleged theft of two cows as justification,” he said.

Iorember called on Governor Agbu Kefas and security agencies to take proactive steps to restore normalcy in the area and enable residents to return to their homes and farms.

He commended security agencies in Donga LGA for their prompt response to some threats in recent times, but urged them to remain vigilant ahead of the planned attack.

“As it stands, Fulani herdsmen are occupying our villages and there is no way our people can go back to continue with their day-to-day activities,” he added.

It will be recalled that in January and February this year, suspected Fulani militia attacked and killed scores of people and destroyed several villages around Tor-Damisa.

He recalled that that Three policemen and the chairman of the Vigilante in Tor-Damisa were also killed in the crisis, which prompted the deployment of personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Mobile Police Force to the area.

People’s Daily reports that that a peace meeting was later convened by the Taraba State Government between the Tiv community and Fulani leadership, where both parties signed a ceasefire agreement and pledged to live in peace.