• 25 May, 2025
• FAITH MIMDOO KEGH
• No comment

Mass Burial Held in Taraba After Deadly Attack by Suspected Herdsmen.

Dozens of villagers were buried on Saturday in the Munga Lalau and Munga Doso communities of Karim-Lamido Local Government Area, Taraba State, following a deadly attack by suspected herdsmen.

Eyewitnesses said more than 50 armed attackers stormed the villages around 2 a.m. on Friday, riding motorcycles and opening fire on sleeping residents. A soldier involved in the rescue operation reported at least 42 confirmed deaths, with several people still missing.

Suleiman Joel, Chairman of the Munga Youth Forum, described the killings as deliberate and widespread. He said the victims had only recently returned to their homes after receiving assurances of safety.

Survivors said the attackers, armed with AK-47 rifles and machetes, went from house to house, burning buildings and killing anyone they encountered. Soja Emmanuel, one of the survivors, recounted fleeing into the bush amid gunfire. “Some people didn’t make it,” he said.

During the mass burial, family members and residents expressed deep grief and anger. Augustine Munga, a local leader who lost two brothers, called for immediate government action to end the violence. Another resident, who lost four relatives, said the brutality went beyond what is typical of herder attacks, suggesting a more coordinated assault.

Governor Agbu Kefas condemned the killings, describing them as “horrendous and unacceptable.” He promised justice and emphasized the need for collaboration between security forces and communities.

State police spokesperson James Lashen confirmed the attack and said officers responded quickly, recovering four bodies and one motorcycle left behind by the fleeing attackers.

The incident is part of a broader pattern of rising violence in northern Nigeria, fueled by a combination of banditry, ethnic and religious tensions, and farmer-herder clashes. In the last month alone, over 380 people have been killed in similar attacks across states including Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, and Kaduna.

Some of the deadliest recent incidents include the killing of 56 people in Benue and 40 in Plateau in April, as well as the murder of 57 people in Borno by suspected Boko Haram militants.

The surge in attacks has devastated many rural communities, with residents calling for stronger protection and accountability.

FAITH MIMDOO KEGH

Manager – Oversees the daily operations, editorial planning, and strategic direction of the platform. A graduate with a solid academic foundation in media and communication, Faith brings a wealth of experience to the TokinPoint.

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