Over 1,000 Flee Taraba Community Clash as More Than 340 Houses Are Destroyed

(Governor Agbu Kefas. Photo Credit: Leadership News)

More than 1,000 people have been displaced by a communal conflict in Geroji and nearby settlements in Mbamnga Ward, Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State.

More than 340 houses were reportedly destroyed.

The three-day violence began on September 16 and forced some residents to flee across the border into Cameroon.

Community leaders and local authorities say several people were killed or are missing, though the exact number of casualties could not be confirmed.

An official of the State Security Service was also reportedly killed, according to eyewitnesses and community leaders.

Livestock including cattle and sheep were lost, and residents say some animals were rustled.

Community leader Ardo Bashiru said more than 340 houses in Geroji and Mbara were destroyed, along with tonnes of food and other means of livelihood, leaving hundreds of families without shelter.

He appealed to the federal and state governments, humanitarian groups and development partners for urgent help.

He said the rainy season has made things worse for those who fled their homes.

Settlements affected include Wuro Buba, Wuro Ardo Bashiru, Wuro Wakili Idrisa, Wuro Saleh Petel, Wuro Hassan Jaji, Wuro Alhaji Jibo, Wuro Alhaji Manu and Wuro Mbarkal.

Sardauna Local Government Chairman Mohammed Umar confirmed the incident and said it reportedly started after a confrontation between a Mambilla woman and a Fulani man on a farm.

He said security personnel have been deployed to restore peace and warned that anyone trying to disrupt it will face the law.

He added that plans are complete to bring back residents who fled to Nyang in the Donga-Mantung Division of Cameroon, and appealed for support to resettle and rebuild.

The Chief of Mbamnga, Abubakar Saleh, urged calm and asked residents to protect the long relationship between the communities.

He called them brothers and sisters and said traditional rulers and other stakeholders are working to stop a repeat. He described this as the first major conflict of its kind in his domain.

The violence has renewed fears over security on the Mambilla Plateau, where communal clashes in 2017 and 2018 killed many people and destroyed property.

Authorities and aid agencies now face the task of providing shelter, food, clothing and healthcare for the displaced and creating conditions for their safe return.