Over 300,000 people since 2013 have been forced to flee their homes in Taraba State following renewed attacks by Fulani herders, leaving entire communities abandoned and farms destroyed, according to an ARISE News special report.
Many residents have sought shelter in improvised IDP camps, struggling to survive amid worsening insecurity.
Local leaders say repeated warnings to authorities have been ignored. The district head of Mberif explained, “We are having problems with Fulani. To the extent now that they drop us out of our various destinations, they destroy all our farms, kill many of our sons, kill many of our brothers and sisters, so it continues to go.”
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences. One resident said, “The Fulani, the cattle railers, they are the people that push out in various houses in the bush. They leave their houses, their farmland, the cattle railers consume everything and occupy these campgrounds. They burnt down our houses, we have no place to stay, our farms are nowhere to be found, our farms are nowhere.”
Another victim described the sudden loss of family members. “They killed our husbands, they killed our children. We were at home and all of a sudden we had some Fulani headmen then attack one of my other brother with his son and they were killed instantly,” the resident said.
Police authorities say efforts to curb the attacks are ongoing but face significant challenges. State Commissioner of Police, C.P. Betty Otimenyin, said, “Sometimes we stop and search and sometimes we also do a blunder to ensure that we are safe.”
The Catholic Bishop of Wukari Diocese, Bishop Mark Nzukwein, warned of widespread destruction and displacement, noting that “We have lost over 335 communities completely including our church buildings and these communities are just like ghost communities because when you go around you don’t see even a single person there because all the structures are brought down including the churches. So this is what we are facing now.”
With food, medical care, and shelter in short supply, displaced residents of Taraba continue to face uncertainty as attacks persist. Leaders are calling on the federal government to act swiftly to restore peace and prevent further loss of lives.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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