Residents Displaced, Houses Destroyed In Taraba Communal Clash

By Ayodele Oni

Taraba State Government has directed the deployment of security personnel to the Sardauna Local Government Area, where more than 1,000 residents have reportedly been displaced, while about 340 houses were destroyed, following a three-day communal clash between Mambilla and Fulani communities in Geroji settlements, Mbamnga Ward.

The violence, which started early this month, reportedly caused widespread destruction in several settlements, with women, children and elderly residents among those forced to flee their homes.

Report revealed that following the attacks, many displaced residents reportedly sought refuge in neighbouring communities, while dozens were said to have crossed the international border into Nyang, in the Donga-Mantung Division of northwestern Cameroon.

Although details of the casualties remain unclear, unverified reports indicated that several people may have been killed, while others were reportedly still missing after the violence.

The conflict also resulted in the destruction of residential buildings, food supplies, livestock and other sources of livelihood in the mountainous and difficult-to-access communities.

Among the settlements reportedly affected are Wuro Buba, Wuro Ardo Bashiru, Wuro Wakili Idrisa, Wuro Saleh Petel, Wuro Hassan Jaji, Wuro Alhaji Jibo, Wuro Alhaji Manu and Wuro Mbarkal.

A community leader, Ardo Bashiru, disclosed that more than 340 houses across the Geroji and Mbara areas were completely destroyed during the violence.

He lamented that large quantities of foodstuff and other essential means of livelihood were lost, while cattle and sheep were reportedly either killed or taken away during the crisis.

Bashiru expressed concern over the impact of the destruction on displaced families, particularly with the rainy season ongoing. He appealed to the Taraba State and Federal Governments, humanitarian organisations and well-meaning individuals to urgently provide affected residents with shelter, food, clothing and other relief materials.

The Chairman of Sardauna Local Government Area, Alhaji Mohammed Umar, who confirmed the incident, stated that the crisis  started following an altercation between a Mambilla woman and a Fulani man on a farm.

Umar described the development as unfortunate and warned residents against taking actions capable of further threatening peace and security in the area.

He said anyone found deliberately attempting to undermine peaceful coexistence among the various communities would face the full force of the law.

According to him, the Taraba State Government has facilitated the deployment of security personnel to the affected areas to restore normalcy and prevent further escalation.

Umar also disclosed that arrangements had been concluded for the repatriation and reintegration of residents who fled across the border into Cameroon following the outbreak of violence.