Monday, March, 23 2026 - A wave of fear and uncertainty has engulfed parts of Taraba State as residents of Chanchanji in Takum Local Government Area and Tor Damisa in Donga Local Government Area flee their homes amid reports of impending militia attacks.
Residents were seen along major roads clutching bags and
household items, scrambling for transportation out of their communities. Many
described a growing sense of dread fuelled by reports of fresh violence.
The crisis is taking a heavy toll on education. At Regina
Packs School in Chanchanji and Holy Copy Schools in Takum, administrators say
learning has been severely disrupted.
Mr Simon Avioko and Samuel Ogah confirmed that their schools
have become temporary shelters for displaced families fleeing attacks from
neighbouring communities.
They noted that many parents have withdrawn their children
from school entirely due to insecurity and the collapse of their livelihoods.
At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, the Dean of Chanchanji
Deanery, Edward Barau, described a community gripped by fear.
“Most people have already fled, but not everyone can afford to leave.
Those remaining are either stranded or sheltering others whose villages have
been destroyed, with families torn apart and livelihoods gone,” he said.
He revealed that warnings of an attack began circulating last week and
were followed by an attempted attack which security forces reportedly repelled.
“Since then, tension has remained extremely high. The presence of soldiers
is the only thing giving people some sense of safety,” he added.
In Tor Damisa, a community within Donga LGA, the situation is equally
dire. Residents are fleeing following a recent attack that reportedly left
three police officers and several civilians dead.
A cleric, Mathias Akough, said fresh intelligence points to
another imminent attack, triggering a new wave of displacement.
He also cited claims by Judd Saul, who allegedly detailed
plans by armed groups to launch coordinated attacks across southern Taraba and
parts of southern Kaduna after Ramadan.
According to community leaders across Takum, Donga, and Ussa
LGAs, the violence has already resulted in multiple deaths, razed villages, and
widespread humanitarian distress.
They are urging security agencies to reassess their
strategies and strengthen intelligence operations to prevent further bloodshed.
The leaders also called on Governor Agbu Kefas to intensify
efforts to restore peace, while acknowledging his recent visit to affected
communities alongside his counterpart from Benue State, Hyacinth Alia.
The humanitarian impact is also stretching local health
services to their limits. At Sancta Maria Clinic and Maternity in Takum,
Reverend Sister Filipa Fangpa said the facility is struggling to cope with a
steady influx of injured victims.
She appealed for urgent assistance from government, aid
agencies, and well-meaning individuals to sustain medical services and support
outreach efforts to displaced populations.
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