At least two people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following renewed violent clashes between farmers and Fulani herders in Bandawa village, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
According to counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the conflict erupted on May 11 when 34-year-old Buhari Malam was allegedly attacked with machetes by suspected herders while working on his farm. Malam later succumbed to his injuries at the Bandawa Primary Health Care Centre.
The killing triggered immediate reprisal actions from angry youths in the community, who reportedly slaughtered five cows and injured seven others belonging to herders in the area.
The violence escalated further on May 12, when another farmer, Ishaku Tunde, was attacked and sustained multiple machete wounds. Hours later, Dauda Bawa became the second fatality when he was attacked while traveling from Bandawa to Karim Lamido.
Local security sources confirmed that a Fulani leader, Ardo Baka, has reported six herders missing amid the ongoing unrest, raising concerns about further casualties.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, authorities have deployed a joint task force comprising military personnel, police officers, vigilantes, and local hunters to restore order in the affected areas. Community peace talks are also reportedly underway to de-escalate tensions between the farming and herding communities.
Related Violence in Plateau State
In a separate but potentially related incident, armed bandits launched an assault on Dogon Ruwa village in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State on May 12. The attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, shot and killed Alhaji Saini Haruna before kidnapping two residents—Alhaji Maikasuwa and Muhammadu Snu.
Security agencies, including the military, police, and Department of State Services (DSS), were promptly deployed to the area. The deceased was buried according to Islamic rites after the family declined an autopsy.
Authorities have launched investigations into both incidents and are working to rescue the abducted victims while apprehending the perpetrators.
These violent clashes add to the growing concern over farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria's Middle Belt region, which have claimed thousands of lives in recent years and displaced numerous communities.
