No fewer than 12 persons, including a councillor and a traditional ruler, have been killed in a fresh outbreak of communal violence in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State, deepening fears over the resurgence of deadly farmer-herder conflicts in the region.
Among the victims were the councillor representing Akete Ward, Hon. Vaatyough Waakaa, and the village head of Mbaiyoon, who were killed when armed assailants invaded Tiv farming communities in the area.
The attack occurred late on Tuesday night, January 6, 2026, at Tor-Damsa village in Akete ward, where residents said heavily armed militias, suspected to be Fulani herders, stormed the community and unleashed violence.
Houses, farms razed
Findings revealed that several houses, farm produce and other valuables were destroyed during the raid, forcing many residents to flee to neighbouring communities in search of safety.
Survivors told PLATFORM TIMES that the attackers moved from house to house, shooting sporadically and setting properties ablaze, while terrified villagers escaped into nearby bushes.
“The attack was well coordinated. They came at night and went from one house to another. People ran for their lives,” a resident said.
Sources linked the renewed violence to lingering disputes over land ownership and boundary claims between farming communities and herders, despite earlier peace efforts by local leaders and security agencies.
Some survivors accused security agencies of failing to act promptly on distress calls made before the situation escalated, alleging that timely intervention could have reduced the casualties.
“The calls were made early enough, but no help came until after the damage had been done,” another resident lamented.
The killing of a serving councillor has added a political dimension to the crisis, raising concerns over whether the attack was targeted or part of a wider reprisal violence that has plagued the area in recent years.
Police confirm incident, give lower casualty figure
Confirming the incident, the Acting Police Public Relations Officer of the Taraba State Police Command, ASP Victor Mshelizah, said the police had so far recovered three bodies, aside from those of the councillor and the village head.
Mshelizah disclosed that tactical teams had been deployed to Donga Local Government Area to restore calm, adding that investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
“The Command will not relent in its efforts to bring those responsible for this heinous act to justice,” he assured.
The Chairman of Donga Local Government Area, Yahaya Ali Iki, condemned the attack, describing it as a senseless assault on peace, security and democratic institutions at the grassroots.
In a statement, Iki expressed condolences to the families of the victims and urged residents to remain calm, while directing security agencies to intensify patrols in flashpoint communities across the council area.
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