Fresh Communal Conflict Displaces Thousands, Threatens Humanitarian Crisis in Taraba

By Saidu Adamu, Jalingo

More than 1,000 persons, mostly women and children, have been displaced from their homes following a communal conflict involving members of the Mambilla and Fulani communities across Geroji settlements, Mbamnga Ward of Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Investigation by our Correspondent in the affected area revealed that about 340 houses were burnt down, with victims, mostly children, women and the elderly, fleeing to neighbouring communities and the Republic of Cameroon for refuge.

An unverified number of people, were reported to have lost their lives, while several others were said to be missing, based on eyewitness accounts and information provided by some community leaders who were met at the affected sites.

Ardo Bashiru, one of the community leaders who spoke to journalists during a visit to the area at the weekend, disclosed that a number of livestock, including cattle and sheep, had also either been killed or rustled.

Bashiru said several families were currently facing a serious humanitarian crisis, as more than 340 houses, sparsely scattered across the mountainous and difficult terrain of Geroji and Mbara, were completely destroyed.

“Tonnes of foodstuff and other means of livelihood have been completely destroyed in the conflict that lasted for about three days from September 16, 2026,” the community leader lamented.

He appealed for urgent intervention from governments, individuals and humanitarian agencies, saying the rainy season, which was at its peak, was taking its toll on the affected population.

He said the victims had lost their shelter, food and clothing in the ensuing conflict.

The most affected settlements include Wuro Buba, Wuro Ardo Bashiru, Wuro Wakili Idrisa, Wuro Saleh Petel, Wuro Hassan Jaji, Wuro Alhaji Jibo, Wuro Alhaji Manu and Wuro Mbarkal, all located in the Gereuji community around the Mbamnga area.

Chairman of Sardauna Local Government Area, Alhaji Mohammed Umar, who confirmed the incident to journalists in Gembu, headquarters of the council area, said in an interview that the conflict started from a fight between two individuals — a Mambilla woman and a Fulani man — on a farm.

Mohammed, who described the incident as unfortunate, warned that anyone found disturbing the peaceful coexistence enjoyed by residents would face the full wrath of the law.

He said the state government had facilitated the full deployment of security forces to the affected areas.

He disclosed that arrangements had been completed for the repatriation of refugees who fled to Nyang, Donga-Mantung Division, located in the northwest part of Cameroon.

The chairman appealed for assistance from governments, stakeholders and humanitarian agencies to provide interventions aimed at the resettlement, rehabilitation and reintegration of the displaced communities.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chief of Mbamnga, Alhaji Abubakar Saleh, also appealed for calm and called for unity among the people, whom he described as brothers and sisters who had lived in harmony for decades.

He assured that all hands were on deck to ensure that such conflicts, which he said was the first in his domain, did not happen again.

Our Correspondent reports that similar violence had taken place across the Mambilla Plateau in 2017 and 2018, during which hundreds of lives and property were reportedly destroyed.