TARABA / KEBBI / AKURE / OSOGBO — The Holy Family Catholic Parish, Takum, has raised alarm over fresh attacks by suspected armed herders on several communities in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, which have left farmlands destroyed and hundreds displaced.
The Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. George Dogo, in a statement on Tuesday, described the situation as “disturbing and devastating,” urging urgent intervention from both federal and state authorities to prevent further bloodshed.
According to him, the violence began on September 19, 2025, after an attack on security personnel in Aye Twar, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of neighbouring Benue State, which later spilled into border communities in Takum.
Affected areas include Dogon Gawa, Tor Gbenger, Jenuwa Nyifiye, Jenuwa Gaba, Jenuwa Gida, Jenuwa Ruwa, Jenuwa Nytsu, Kwari, and Ribasi, where farms and homes were reportedly destroyed.
In Asuku and Mbakyula villages, two residents were said to be critically injured, while about 150 persons were displaced. The church further reported that an additional 200 residents fled Imbor, Mbaaga, Chakera, Hoyo, Mbayatsav, Genda, and Ikyor communities after their farms were razed.
Reprisal Attack in Kebbi Leaves 10 Herders Dead
In a related development, at least 10 herders were reportedly killed on Sunday in a reprisal attack on a Fulani settlement in Tilli community, Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
A community source said the assault followed the killing of a vigilante member by suspected Lakurawa bandits, an incident wrongly attributed to local Fulani residents.
“The reprisal attack was carried out in error. They thought the Fulani were behind the killing of the vigilante. Over 10 were killed, and several others sustained injuries,” the source said.
Security operatives have since been deployed to the area to restore calm.
Aiyedatiwa: Ondo’s Security, Stability Non-Negotiable
Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has vowed that the peace and stability of the state remain non-negotiable, amid reports of planned attacks by the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP).
Speaking in Akure during a visit by the National Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Abubakar Ahmed, Aiyedatiwa said his administration would respond “swiftly, firmly, and effectively” to any attempt to destabilize the state.
“My administration will respond swiftly and decisively to any attempt to undermine the peace of the state,” he said, pledging continued logistical and intelligence support for security agencies.
Prof. Ahmed commended the governor’s proactive support for security operations, noting that Ondo remained one of the few states providing consistent operational assistance to the NSCDC.
Osun Warns Against Politicising Security
Also speaking on security, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, urged political leaders to avoid politicising national security matters if Nigeria must win the war against insecurity.
Speaking at the 2025 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun Council, in Osogbo, Alimi said the issue of security required a holistic, non-partisan approach.
“It is better for us to remove politics from the issue of insecurity — from the national to the local level. Security and governance are interwoven; we must remove barriers like politics and corruption to keep our communities safe,” he stated.
Summary:
The incidents across Taraba, Kebbi, Ondo, and Osun highlight the growing complexity of Nigeria’s security crisis — from herders’ violence and reprisal killings to the threat of terrorism — with calls from religious leaders and state officials for coordinated, apolitical responses to protect lives and restore peace.
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