Surge in Violence Triggers Mass Displacement in Taraba
Although a Nigerian army chief stated that officers would be deployed to the affected areas to restore peace, residents insisted they had not seen any soldiers.
A surge in armed violence has uprooted hundreds of locals from their homes in the Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State in northeastern Nigeria. Terrorists raided the Chanchanji District in the LGA on Sunday, Feb. 8, disrupting church services and opening fire on worshippers.
Residents told HumAngle that at least 14 churches were attacked in several villages across the Chanchanji District, leaving many dead. “People were confused and began to scatter. Most of the casualties were women and children,” said Monday Vincent, a resident in the Amadu area of the district.
The Sunday attack lasted for about two hours. Just as residents were trying to recover from the horror of this incident, another attack occurred the following day, in which terrorists killed dozens of people and set houses on fire. While there have been no official statements on the total number of casualties, locals said scores of people were rushed to the hospital for emergency care. The affected communities include Amadu, New Gboko, Adu, and Tse-Tseve.
In the past year, terrorists repeatedly attacked locals in the area, causing mayhem and violating law and order. In September, for instance, they attacked Akate ward, within the Tor-Damisa axis, leading to the establishment of a displacement camp in the area.
“It used to be two to three casualties, but this time, it’s worse,” Monday said of the attacks, noting that the areas affected are the economic hubs of the Chanchanji District, which have now been deserted.
He said people are leaving the district en masse, with thousands moving to the displacement camp for shelter and protection. He stressed that security officials have not been deployed to the area, despite the recurring attacks.
“There have been soldiers stationed around the area, but they said they are awaiting official orders,” Monday said.
Terkuma Moses, a community leader in Amadu, told HumAngle that about 80 deaths have so far been recorded. Lember Tyozua, the community leader of the Mberev community, corroborated this, saying about 200 people are generally affected. He said they are still documenting the tragic events, and investigations are ongoing.
“We can’t say the situation is under control. It feels like we are at the mercy of the attackers,” Terkuma said, noting that the biggest worry for most residents is survival.
Kingsley Chidiebere, the commander of the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, visited the area on Feb. 10 and ordered the deployment of soldiers to protect locals and extend patrols across all affected communities. However, locals insisted that security officials have not yet been deployed to the area.
“What we need the most is protection of lives and property because almost all the surrounding villages in Amadu are deserted,” Torkuma stated.
A surge in violence in the Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, northeastern Nigeria, has displaced numerous locals after terrorists attacked the Chanchanji District on February 8. The attackers targeted church services, resulting in a high number of casualties, primarily women and children, and significantly affecting the economic hubs of the district.
The violence escalated with a subsequent attack the next day, which left dozens dead, houses burned, and many requiring emergency medical care. The affected communities include Amadu, New Gboko, Adu, and Tse-Tseve, and residents have been fleeing to displacement camps amid a lack of security presence, despite claims of army deployment and orders for enhanced patrols from the authorities.
Local leaders report about 80 deaths and ongoing documentation of the events, with concerns over the lack of control and survival being paramount. The need for reinforced protection is critical, as most Amadu villages are now deserted, awaiting effective security measures to ensure the safety of lives and property.
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