Heavily-armed herders have reportedly attacked several communities in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, displacing about 1, 812 residents and destroying farmlands.
The Priest of Holy Family Catholic Parish, Takum, Rev. George Dogo, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Jalingo on Monday.
Dogo said the situation was deplorable and called for urgent government intervention to avert further bloodshed and humanitarian crisis.
He traced the history of the renewed invasion to a crisis which began on September 19, 2025, following an attack on security personnel in Aye Twar, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of neighbouring Benue State.
The violence reportedly spilled over into border communities in Takum, where armed herders allegedly invaded farmlands and settlements.
The affected areas include Dogon Gawa, Tor Gbenger, Jenuwa Nyifiye, Jenuwa Gaba, Jenuwa Gida, Jenuwa Ruwa, Jenuwa Nytsu, Kwari, and Ribasi — where “farms of all kinds” were reportedly destroyed.
In Asuku and Mbakyula villages, the priest reported that two people were critically injured, while about 150 residents were displaced. Another 200 people were said to have fled from Imbor, Mbaaga, Chakera, Hoyo, Mbayatsav, Genda, and Ikyor communities after their farms were destroyed.
Similarly, he Dogo said Tor-Lijam, Akaajo, Abunde, Akase, Ikyo-Dam, and Iortev villages were completely deserted following the invasion, with about 560 people displaced while in Ikper, Kur-Hindi, Wombo, Kwaghcia, and Angahar villages, another 500 people were reportedly displaced after their farms were torched.
The attack also extended to Muji I, Muji II, Kwariben, Nzuwaya, and Tudun Haske, where large stretches of farmland were destroyed. In Tarhembe and Tornyi villages, all farms were burnt, and one person was critically injured and is currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Takum. About 402 residents from these two villages have also been displaced.
The priest further said many of the displaced persons had taken refuge in Mammy and High Level areas of Takum town, as well as in Dogon Gawa, Manya, Sufa, Tor Donga, and Gbise.
He appealed to the state government, security agencies and humanitarian organisations to intervene urgently, restore security, and provide relief materials to affected families.
“Our people are suffering. Hundreds have been displaced, farmlands destroyed, and livelihoods ruined. We appeal to the government to take swift action before the situation worsens,” Dogo said.
