A dispute between farmers and herders in the Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State has escalated into a violent communal conflict.
Recent clashes have reportedly left at least 40 people dead and displaced hundreds over the past two weeks. The development was disclosed by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, via a post on his X account.
According to Makama, intelligence sources revealed that the crisis began on May 9, following a confrontation over farmland encroachment involving a Bandawa youth, Buhari Malamby, and two Fulani herders whose cattle had allegedly wandered onto his farm. The altercation led to an attack by several youths on the herders, using machetes.
Witnesses reported that Malamby was killed during the incident, which triggered a retaliatory response from Bandawa youths, who allegedly slaughtered numerous cattle in the nearby bush.
“Within hours, reprisal attacks followed. Armed Fulani youths reportedly invaded Badawa community, killing two persons and injuring another youth from nearby Munga Dasso. This marked the beginning of a cycle of violence and counter-violence that has rocked the region,โ the security expert stated.
“This killing triggered another violent retaliation. Munga Lelau youths, who witnessed the attack, stormed the Fulani settlement and killed four individuals. In response, heavily armed Fulani militia, reportedly mobilizing from neighbouring communities on nearly 50 motorcycles with up to three riders each, launched a large-scale assault on Munga Lelau,โ he added.
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