TEKAN/ECWA Blasts ‘Barbaric’ Herdsmen Attacks on Tiv Communities in Taraba

By Tgnews Reporter

The TEKAN/ECWA bloc of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Taraba State has strongly condemned a series of violent attacks on Tiv communities in Takum and Donga Local Government Areas, describing the incidents as barbaric and calling for urgent government intervention to restore peace and provide relief to victims.

In a press statement issued in Jalingo and signed by Rev. Rimamnde Musa Andemun, Chairman of the TEKAN/ECWA bloc, the group accused suspected Fulani herdsmen of carrying out the assaults, which have resulted in significant loss of life, widespread destruction of property—including churches—and mass displacement of residents.

“The incidence resulted in loss of several lives, destruction of property, and displacement of residents,” the statement read. “The attacks have also led to widespread destruction of farmlands and homes, leaving many residents without shelter or means of livelihood.”

Rev. Andemun highlighted a recent attack in which 20 people were reportedly killed and numerous houses burnt to the ground. He described the situation as tense, with residents living in constant fear of further violence.

The statement specifically noted the impact on NKST (Nongo u Kristi u i Ser u Tar) church consistories in the affected areas. In Takum LGA, 10 consistories were impacted: Peva, Tsehe, Audu, Adu, Demevar, Amadu, Oram, Taryuhwa Akenawe, Agema, Jato Takum, Akulla, and Gawa. In Donga LGA, the affected consistories included Shagu, Ananum, Uhula, Unom, Shudan, Akume, and Imo.

Speaking in a telephone interview, Rev. Yuhwam Peva, Pastor in-charge of the NKST church in Peva village, Takum LGA, provided a grim account of the ongoing crisis. He confirmed that more than 15 people had lost their lives in the violence around his community alone.

“Several dead bodies were lying in the bushes but their bodies could not be recovered due to fear of further attacks,” Rev. Peva said. “The attackers live in the bush, waiting for anybody who will go to his farm. When they see women, they allow them to go but when they see men, they kill them. Their cows feed on our farms daily.”

He appealed directly to the Taraba State government for immediate action: “We want the State government to intervene and deploy security men to us here. Let the soldiers and policemen enter the bushes. Our people are being killed, our farms are being eaten. We are only looking for peace.”

Rev. Andemun urged the state government to take decisive steps to halt the violence, deploy adequate security to vulnerable areas, provide relief materials to displaced families, and ensure justice for the victims. He called on all stakeholders to collaborate in restoring calm and preventing escalation.

The attacks form part of a broader pattern of insecurity in southern Taraba, where farmer-herder tensions have frequently escalated into deadly clashes, often targeting Christian communities and places of worship. Church leaders and residents have repeatedly called for stronger security presence to protect lives and livelihoods.

As the situation remains volatile, TEKAN/ECWA emphasized the need for immediate humanitarian support and a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of the conflict, urging authorities to act swiftly before more lives are lost.