Over 3,000 Killed, About 300,000 Christians/Farmers Displaced In Taraba – Catholic Church

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

For the second time in less than a month ,the Catholic Diocese of Wukari ,has raised the alarm over alleged mass killings and destruction of properties ongoing in the Southern Taraba District.

The Catholic family said several Christians and farming communities in Takum ,Ussa ,as well as other local councils  within the Southern part of Taraba State have been subjected to a renewed wave of violent attacks, leading to several deaths and destruction of farmlands and other valuables..

The Source reports that the Wukari Catholic authorities had, a few weeks back, cried out to both the Federal Government and Taraba state authorities over the alleged killing of innocent residents , displacement of over 1000 persons  ,as well as the destruction and most times take over of their farmlands by the invading forces, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

In a statement on Thursday, November 20, 2025, jointly issued by Rev Fr Prof. Anthony I Bature ,(Vicar Administration), Very Rev Fr Simon Akuraga (Chancellor) and Rev Fr Moses Angyian, the Chairman of the NCDPA , the Church  informed that no fewer than 50  persons have been killed in the last few weeks, with several hundreds displaced following an upsurge in violent attacks by suspected herdsmen.

The Diocese claimed that over 335 communities ,and Churches have been laid to waste as a result of incessant attacks in the last 30 years.

According to the Diocese, more than 3,000 persons have also lost their lives to the unprovoked violent activities of the terrorists.

This is as it regretted that over 300,000 people have been displaced. Most of the homeless and displaced people the Catholic Diocese noted are widows, children and orphans.

According to the Church, about 20 communities in Takum Local Council have been subjected to unmitigated violent attacks in the past few days, with several people killed,homes and farmlands destroyed and their owners displaced by the attackers .

The Catholic family ,which pointedly accused suspected Fulani herdsmen of being behind the dastardly attacks, further noted that several communities within Ussa Local Government Area have also witnessed attacks in the last few days , with over 70 people reported losing their lives collectively in Ussa and Takum Local Councils.

In view of the precarious situation of the people, the Church appealed to the Federal Government ,and Taraba state authorities to scale up security posts in all the affected areas , with more security personnel and equipment deployed.

Similarly, it called on the state Government to ensure an immediate provision of relief materials and other palliative including medical items to displaced persons

While the interim reliefs are being provided ,the Diocese appealed for some long term measures ,to adequately rehabilitate and reintegrate the displaced persons.

The Source further reports that the Catholic church’s outcry is coming amidst global attention provoked by the United States of America’s USA allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria .

The USA President, Donald Trump, and the Congress despite Nigerian Government’s denial, have insisted that Christians have been subjected to persecution and mas killing in the country.