Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
RESIDENTS of Chanchanji Ward in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State have continued to flee their community following a mass attack by armed gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias, an incident now being contained by the military.
Our correspondent gathered that on Sunday morning, residents were seen along the roadside with their belongings, desperately seeking means of transport to safer areas.
Mr Simon Avioko, Principal of Regina Packs School in Chanchanji, and the Reverend Father Samuel Ogah, Administrator of Holy Copy Schools in Takum, reported that academic activities at their institutions had been severely disrupted due to the massive influx of displaced persons from neighbouring communities. They stated that these individuals are now seeking refuge in the schools after their villages were completely destroyed.
They also lamented that most of the displaced persons had withdrawn their children from school, citing the prevailing insecurity and the destruction of their livelihoods.
Similarly, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Chanchanji, the Dean of Chanchanji Deanery, the Reverend Father Edward Barau, along with other residents, said that the community was living in constant fear after receiving word that Fulani militias were planning to attack them ahead of the Saturday assault.
“Most of the people have moved out already, but not everyone has the means to do so. Apart from the residents of Chanchanji, many of the people you see here came to take refuge because their communities were destroyed, their loved ones killed and maimed, and their livelihoods ruined,” he said.
“Last week, information began to circulate that heavily armed Fulani ethnic militias were planning a major attack on Chanchanji. Since then, we have been living in constant fear. And true to their word, they launched a heavy attack yesterday, but the army responded swiftly this time and were able to repel them. As we speak, tension is very high. Clearly, the presence of the soldiers is the only deterrent.”
At Tor Damisa in Donga Local Government Area, where three policemen and others were killed in an attack on the community last week, the Reverend Father Mathias Akough said credible information suggested an imminent attack on the community by the Fulani ethnic militias, prompting most residents to flee.
He noted that a video by Judd Saul, Executive Director of Equipping the Persecuted, detailed plans by the Fulani ethnic militias to attack parts of Southern Taraba and Southern Kaduna immediately after Ramadan.
“We have called you again over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Southern Taraba, especially in Takum, Donga and Ussa Local Government Areas, which has already led to the deaths of several people and the destruction of entire villages and the livelihoods of tens of thousands of our people,” he said.
“This time, however, we are not calling you just to inform you of the continued carnage, but to draw your attention to credible information suggesting that attacks are imminent in Chanchanji and Tor Damisa in Takum and Donga Local Government Areas respectively.
“We have gathered reliably that Fulani ethnic militias in Takum are mobilising personnel, arms and ammunition massively and are already taking positions in some of the villages they have displaced people from, especially around New Gboko, to stage attacks on Chanchanji in a matter of days. There is also movement of machine gun-armed fighters around the Donga River towards Chanchanji.
“The information at our disposal indicates that this attack will take place right after Ramadan. The purpose of sharing this information with you is to help create awareness so that the terrorists know their plans have been uncovered, and thus discourage them from proceeding. The awareness is also expected to help communities mobilise and remain on alert. This will enable them to take urgent measures.
“We wish to express our deep sympathy to the people of Tor Damisa in Donga Local Government and the Nigerian Police, Taraba State Command, over the gruesome attack that took place recently, leading to the deaths of gallant police officers and other individuals, with others still missing. These attacks have been ongoing for some time in Takum, Donga, and other parts of the state.
“These militias are not ghosts; they can be tracked and arrested to face the law. One of the major responsibilities of government is to protect lives and property. With humility and every sense of responsibility, we call on all heads of security in the state to review their deployment and intelligence-gathering mechanisms so as to respond more effectively and avert this potential attack, which is just days—or even hours—away.
“We commend Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas for recently visiting this area alongside his Benue State counterpart, Governor Hyacinth Alia, to stand in solidarity with the people. However, we call on the governor to do more to stop these attacks and restore peace and stability in the affected areas,” he added.
At Sancta Maria Clinic and Maternity in Takum, the Reverend Sister Filipa Fangpa told our correspondent that the facility was overwhelmed, as injured persons continued to arrive day and night, forcing the clinic to overstretch its capacity. She appealed to the government, as well as organisations and individuals, to support the clinic so that it could care for the patients and conduct outreach to displaced persons.
At the time of this report, evacuations were ongoing amid heightened tension and frustration.
