By Ben Adaji, Jalingo
Herdsmen Attack – Nov. 20, 2025.
The Catholic Diocese of Wukari in Southern Taraba has raised an alarm over fresh attacks on farming communities in Takum and Ussa Local Government Areas, where more than 50 persons have been killed in recent weeks.
The Diocese issued the warning on Wednesday night in a statement released at the end of a three-day workshop on “Pastoral Care and Counseling for Traumatized and Distressed IDPs of the Diocese.” The statement was signed by Very Rev. Fr (Prof.) Anthony I. Bature (Vicar General Administration), Very Rev. Fr. Simon Akuraga (Chancellor) and Rev. Fr. Moses Angyian (NCDPA Chairman).
According to the Diocese, violent attacks in Southern Taraba over the last three decades have claimed over 3,000 lives, destroyed 335 communities and churches, and displaced more than 300,000 residents, including widows and children.
The Church accused armed herdsmen of carrying out the attacks with sophisticated weapons, burning down homes and farmlands, and occupying communities after displacing residents.
“In the past two months, several villages in Ussa and Takum have come under repeated attacks,” the statement said. “These marauding terrorists kill, maim and destroy property with impunity. Many of the displaced persons are now in IDP camps without protection or relief materials.”
The Diocese listed recently attacked communities in Chanchanji Ward of Takum—among them Kwanta, Dooshima, Demevar, Amadu, Tsejor, Tse Gbenger, Ioveer, Sember, Akera, Jabi, Ayu, Agenga, Adekpe, New Gboko, Torsee, Yongoba, Tor-Lijam, Dogon Gawa, Imbor and Akesa.
In Ussa LGA, the affected areas include Kapsitswa, Kapsi, Waesi, Sati Tsinya, Wakan, Kwabu 1 and Kwabu 2.More than 30 persons were reportedly killed in Ussa and over 40 in Takum during the renewed attacks.
While acknowledging efforts by the Taraba State Government in previous crises, the Diocese urged authorities to extend immediate intervention to areas currently under siege.
It called on the Federal, State and Local Governments to stop the killings, deploy relief materials, treat the injured and initiate plans for the return and rehabilitation of displaced persons.
“The Federal Government keeps promising to end these killings, yet the situation is getting worse by the day,” the statement added. “These peaceful farming communities should not be pushed out just to make room for cows.”
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Confirming the attacks, the Commissioner of Police, Taraba State Command, CP Betty Otimenyin, said the command was working to contain the situation. She explained that the attackers strike randomly and flee into difficult terrain before security agents receive distress calls.
Unconfirmed reports also indicate that the Commander of 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Kingsley Uwa, has warned that decisive military action would be taken against those fueling insecurity in the Takum axis.
