Panic in Taraba as militia attack forces residents to flee

From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo

There is widespread panic and fear as residents of Chanchanji Ward of Takum Local Government Area in Taraba State flee their community following a mass attack by Fulani militias, which is being contained by the army.

When our correspondent visited the area on Sunday morning, residents were seen with their luggage by the roadside, desperately seeking ways to relocate to safer areas.

Mr Simon Avioko, the Principal of Regina Packs School in Chanchanji, and Rev. Fr. Samuel Ogah, the administrator of Holy Copy Schools in Takum, told our correspondent that academic activities at their schools have been seriously disrupted due to the massive influx of displaced persons from neighbouring communities who are now taking refuge in the schools because their villages have been destroyed.

They also complained that most of the displaced persons have withdrawn their children from school due to the prevailing insecurity and the destruction of their means of livelihood.

Similarly, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Chanchanji, the Dean of Chanchanji Deanery, Rev. Fr. Edward Barau, and other residents who spoke to our correspondent said that the people are living in constant fear since they heard that the Fulani militias were planning to attack them before the Saturday attack.

“Most of the people have moved out already, but it is not everyone who has the means to move. Apart from the residents of Chanchanji, most of these people you see came here to take refuge because their communities were destroyed, their loved ones killed and maimed, and their means of livelihood destroyed.

“Last week, the information started coming in that the heavily armed Fulani ethnic militias were planning a major attack on Chanchanji. Since then, we have been living in constant fear. And true to it, they launched a heavy attack yesterday, but the army reacted swiftly this time and was able to repel them. As we speak, tension is very high. Clearly, the presence of the soldiers is the only deterrence to them.”

At Tor Damisa in Donga Local Government Area, where about three policemen and others were killed in an attack on the community last week, Rev. Fr. Mathias Akough said that they received credible information suggesting an imminent attack on the community by the Fulani ethnic militias, prompting most of the people to flee.

He said that a video by the Executive Director of Equipping the Persecuted, Judd Saul, described in detail 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 death of several persons and the destruction of whole villages and means of livelihoods of tens of thousands of our people.

“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 the people, 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 essence of sharing this information with you is to help create awareness for the terrorists to know that their plans have been unravelled and so discourage them from going on with it. The awareness is also expected to help communities to mobilise themselves and be on the alert. This will help them to take urgent measures.

“We want to deeply sympathise with the people of Tor Damisa in Donga Local Government Area and the Nigerian Police, Taraba State Command, over the gruesome attack that took place recently, leading to the death of gallant policemen and other people, with others missing. These attacks have been going on for some time in Takum, Donga, and other parts of the state.

“These militias are not ghosts and can be tracked and arrested to face the law. One of the major responsibilities of the government is to protect lives and property. With humility and every sense of responsibility, we call on all the heads of security in the state to review their deployment and intelligence-gathering mechanisms so as to respond more effectively and avert this possible attack that is just days or even hours away from now.

“We commend Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas for recently visiting this area with his Benue State counterpart, Governor Hyacinth Alia, to identify 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 said.

At Sancta Maria Clinic and Maternity in Takum, Reverend Sister Filipa Fangpa told our correspondent that the facility is overwhelmed as injured persons keep arriving day and night, compelling the clinic to overstretch its capacity. She appealed to the government, organisations, and individuals to support the facility so that it can cater for patients and carry out outreach to displaced persons.

The evacuation is still ongoing as of the time of writing, amid increased tension and frustration.