The Catholic Church has sounded the alarm over fresh attacks by suspected armed herders on several communities in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, which have led to widespread destruction of farmlands and the displacement of hundreds of residents.
In a statement issued in Jalingo on Monday, the Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Parish, Takum, Very Rev. Fr. George Dogo, described the situation as “disturbing and devastating,” calling for urgent government intervention to prevent further loss of lives and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
“Our people are suffering. Hundreds have been displaced, farmlands destroyed, and livelihoods ruined. We appeal to the government to take swift action before the situation worsens,” Dogo said.
According to the church, the violence began on September 19, 2025, following an attack on security personnel in Aye Twar, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. The unrest later spilled into border communities in Takum, where armed herders allegedly invaded farmlands and settlements.
Affected communities include Dogon Gawa, Tor Gbenger, Jenuwa Nyifiye, Jenuwa Gaba, Jenuwa Gida, Jenuwa Ruwa, Jenuwa Nytsu, Kwari, and Ribasi, where extensive farmland destruction was reported. In Asuku and Mbakyula, two people sustained critical injuries while about 150 residents were displaced.
Another 200 people fled from Imbor, Mbaaga, Chakera, Hoyo, Mbayatsav, Genda, and Ikyor after their farms were razed, while Tor-Lijam, Akaajo, Abunde, Akase, Ikyo-Dam, and Iortev were reportedly deserted, leaving about 560 residents displaced.
In Ikper, Kur-Hindi, Wombo, Kwaghcia, and Angahar, over 500 people reportedly lost their homes and farmlands. The attacks also extended to Muji I, Muji II, Kwariben, Nzuwaya, and Tudun Haske, while Tarhembe and Tornyi villages recorded burnt farmlands, one critically injured victim, and over 400 displaced persons.
Many displaced families are currently seeking refuge in Mammy and High Level areas of Takum town, as well as Dogon Gawa, Manya, Sufa, Tor Donga, and Gbise.
Fr. Dogo appealed to the Taraba State Government, security agencies, and humanitarian organisations to restore security and provide relief materials to the victims.
When contacted, the new State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, said he had just assumed office and had yet to be briefed on the developments in the affected areas.
The renewed violence follows a pattern of attacks across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions, where armed herders, jihadist groups, and bandits have repeatedly targeted predominantly Christian farming communities.
Human rights groups, including the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), report that thousands of Christians have been killed and hundreds of churches destroyed in Taraba, Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna over the past decade.
The Church and other faith-based organisations have continued to urge authorities to act decisively to protect rural communities from persistent violence and displacement.
Fr. Dogo warned that without swift intervention, the renewed attacks could further worsen the humanitarian crisis spreading across the conflict-hit Middle Belt.
