By Ben Adaji, Jalingo
A wave of grief has swept through Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, where over 20 people were brutally killed and thousands forced to flee their homes after suspected armed herders launched coordinated attacks on Munga Lelau and neighbouring communities on Friday.
In what survivors describe as a “nightmare in broad daylight,” the attackers stormed into the villages on motorcycles, opening fire indiscriminately, razing homes, and leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. By the time security forces arrived from nearby Bandawa—another community recently hit by similar violence—more than 20 lifeless bodies had been counted, with scores suffering from gunshot wounds.
Entire villages, including seven in Munga Lelau and Magami, now lie in ruins. Crops were burned, homes turned to ash, and families torn apart.
A heartbroken resident of Munga, whose younger brother and brother-in-law were killed, recounted the horror. “They came like a storm—on motorcycles, with guns and fire. My brother was just returning from the farm. He didn’t stand a chance,” he said. “It was as if death descended on us from nowhere.”
The bodies of the victims were buried in mass graves on Saturday, under the guarded watch of soldiers and police officers deployed to the scene. The air in the community was thick with smoke and sorrow.
In the wake of the massacre, terrified residents have abandoned their homes, seeking refuge in surrounding areas. Those with critical injuries have been transported to the nearest hospitals, where overwhelmed medical workers are struggling to provide care.
The Taraba State Police Command confirmed the attack. According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP James Lashen, the violence began around 2:30 p.m. on Friday when a 15-year-old boy, Isah Ishaku, was reportedly macheted while working on his family farm.
“Shortly after, armed herders mobilised on motorcycles and attacked Magami and Munga Lelau, setting houses ablaze and killing several persons,” the statement read. “A joint police team, led by the Divisional Police Officer, was ambushed at the scene but repelled the attackers, who fled into the bush, abandoning one of their motorcycles.”
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, condemned the killings in the strongest terms, calling the violence “horrendous and unacceptable.” In a statement issued by his media aide, Emmanuel Bello, the governor expressed deep condolences to the bereaved and vowed that his administration would not relent in securing lives and property.
“This is a tragedy we must never get used to. These killings are a grim reminder of the urgent need to end the senseless violence plaguing our rural communities,” the statement read.
As the sun sets on the scorched earth of Munga Lelau, the people of Taraba are once again left to mourn their dead, rebuild from the ashes, and hope that the world will not look away.
