Thursday, February 12, 2026 - Taraba State, often described as “Nature’s Gift to the Nation,” is today no doubt grappling with a crisis that has shaken not only its farming communities but also its houses of worship.
Across Takum and Donga local government councils, church
leaders say a pattern of violence, displacement and destruction is unfolding
with alarming frequency, and they are demanding urgent intervention before the
situation spirals further out of control.
From the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, to the
Northern Christians Religious Leaders Assembly, NOCREL, and the United
Methodist Church of Nigeria, UMCN, the message is consistent. They agitate that
the killings must stop, and the state must act decisively.
In the latest wave of violence, at least 25 people were
killed within two days in Takum and Donga councils, according to CAN.
Local residents and church leaders confirmed that 11 persons
were killed in coordinated attacks on Sunday, while 14 more lost their lives in
fresh assaults on Tuesday. The affected communities Adu, Aga, Mbaiyerikyaior,
Tse-Nev, Facii, Demevaa and Igbum now bear fresh scars of grief and
uncertainty.
Beyond the death toll, church leaders say the attacks have
forced the closure of 103 denominational churches across Donga and Takum LGAs
due to insecurity.
For many rural communities, churches are more than places of
worship; they double as schools, counselling centres, and hubs of social
support. Their closure signals not just fear, but social paralysis.
CAN revealed that the violence, which began in September,
has displaced hundreds of thousands of people mostly Christian farmers who have
fled to Peva and Amadu towns in Takum LGA in search of refuge.
While acknowledging and commending the Taraba State
government for its early deployment of security personnel to the Amadu axis,
CAN expressed dismay that the deployment lasted only a few days.
“We therefore call for urgent and expanded deployment of
security forces to the communities to end the circle of killings and
displacement and give room for the people to return to their homes,” the
association said.
The group warned that if urgent steps are not taken in the
coming days, it may organize a peaceful protest to draw national and
international attention to the killings.
Supporting CAN’s position, NOCRELA painted a grimmer picture
in neighboring Chanchanji District of Takum LGA.
A statement signed by its Chairman, Rev. Dr. Micah Philip
Dopah, NOCRELA said at least 102 Tiv Christians were killed and more than 31
injured in a series of attacks between January 2 and February 3, 2026 — a span
of just 33 days.
The group described the violence as “continuous, horrific,
and targeted,” alleging that suspected Fulani militia specifically attacked Tiv
communities and NKST churches.
No fewer than 10 separate attacks were recorded within that
period, according to the statement. Homes were razed, churches destroyed, and
entire communities uprooted.
NOCRELA said consultations with Tiv leaders and affected
NKST pastors revealed widespread frustration over what they described as
inadequate protection by security agencies.
“This terrible and dreadful act of violent criminality
against the Tiv people and NKST churches is totally condemnable and
unacceptable,” the statement read.
The group warned that what it termed a lax government response may have
emboldened attackers and called on authorities to urgently arrest those
responsible.
“Our hearts are broken by this act of violence against our
Tiv Christian brethren,” it added.
Adding his voice to the outcry, Bishop of the United
Methodist Church of Nigeria, UMCN, Rev. Emmanuel Ande, described the unfolding
situation as a “deep humanitarian, moral and security failure.”
Bishop Ande said
that since 2019, over 1,000 farming communities in Taraba have been displaced,
with killings increasing steadily.
“This is about security and the government’s failure to
protect lives and property. No responsible leader, religious or political, can
be comfortable with such a tragic reality,,” he said..
According to him, food security, livelihoods and social
trust have been severely damaged. He called for improved intelligence
gathering, fair government policies, and inclusive leadership to address ethnic
and religious tensions.
“Silence is not an option. Justice, reconciliation and
decisive action must replace fear and neglect,” he stressed.
With farming communities displaced, agricultural
productivity has plummeted in affected areas. Bishop Ande warned that food
insecurity is becoming a secondary consequence of the conflict.
He also pointed to the erosion of social trust, where fear
has replaced neighborly bonds and suspicion now clouds inter-communal
relationships.
Ending religious and ethnic divisions, he argued, requires intentional
leadership and collective responsibility.
“Government policies must be fair and inclusive. Religious
and traditional leaders must reject hate speech and promote mutual respect.
Education should emphasize shared humanity, not differences,” he said.
Amid the violence, Bishop Ande also raised alarm over rising
substance abuse, especially among young people in the state.
Describing drug abuse as one of the greatest obstacles to
effective evangelism, he said it distorts moral judgment, destroys families and
robs youth of hope.
He called for collaboration between churches and government
combining moral guidance, preventive education, counselling and rehabilitation
support with strengthened law enforcement and youth empowerment programmes.
“When the church provides moral guidance and the government
provides policy and infrastructure, sustainable change becomes possible,” he
said.
Despite the grim realities, Bishop Ande commended ggovernor
Agbu Kefas for ordering the reopening of a church that had been closed for
years due to crisis, describing the move as courageous and peace-oriented.
He expressed optimism that reconciliation services,
forgiveness processes, pastoral counselling and inclusive dialogue could lay
the foundation for lasting peace.
“We emphasised unity over victory and healing over blame.
Peace does not come by force; it comes when people feel heard, respected and
treated fairly,” he said.
Taraba now stands at a critical juncture.
On one hand, religious leaders are reaffirming their commitment to peace,
justice and the sanctity of human life. On the other, communities continue to
bury their dead and flee their homes.
Church leaders insist that the security gains recorded by
the present administration must not be eroded by continued violence in Southern
Taraba.
Whether through expanded security deployment, meaningful dialogue,
reconciliation processes or stronger social policies, one message rings clearly
across denominations – the killings must end.
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