Traditional Ruler, others killed in Taraba herdsmen attack

By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo

Killer herdsmen have killed the Councilor representing Akete Ward in Donga Local Government Area Hon. Jacob Abam, HRH Vaatyough Waakaa, village head of Mbaiyoon and 12 other villagers from Tor-Damsa community of the local government.

A former Councilor of the local government Hon. Victor Antaav who spoke to journalists on phone said the attacks occurred when Cows belonging to a herder invaded Cassava farm belonging to a Tiv man within the area.

He said that when the owner of the Cassava farm resisted the inversion of the Cows on his farm, the herders attacked him, cutting him with Cutlass which resulted to several injuries on his body.

“When the Fulani herders entered and destroyed a Tiv man Cassava farm, they destroyed the tubers, when he came to chase them out of the farm, they attacked him and cut him with Cutlass which resulted to several injuries, one of the herders who was caught by the locals was also manhandled, as a result of that, the Fulani mobilize over night, killing innocent villagers and destroyed crops, burnt down houses with properties worth millions of Naira.

“Those who were killed on the 9th of January 2026 are
Zaki. Vaatyogh Waakaa, village head of Anchough-Shagu, Hon Jacob Abam concilor Akate Ward, Akombo Shaku, Tarkaha Dorough, Terkura Myavega, Terfa Asaaga, Iorya Mbaan, Azeda Abugh and Mrs Abugh. While others whose bodies were discovered on the 10th, includes Terzugwe Orhumbuga, Abacha Oraer, and Tamen Ahemba.

“They destroyed Tse Shagu, Tse Anger, Tse Uhura, Tse Ikyahar, Tse Ikyahar, Agboughur, Tse Ikyahar, Tse Kwadan,Tse Kwadan on the 9th of January 2026 while Tse Ikyanyon, Tse Ikyanyon Tse Ikyanyon were destroyed on the 10, the following day with properties, farm products and seedings both on the farm and at home.

Antaav disclosed that all the villages belong to the Tiv farmers have been razed down.

Victor Msherizar, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Taraba State command could not be reached for confirmation as at the time of this report.