Two soldiers have been confirmed dead following a violent clash between farmers and herders in Bandawa community, Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday morning, marks another episode in the series of deadly confrontations that have plagued rural communities in the state.
Eyewitnesses told reporters that the soldiers were part of a peacekeeping team deployed to calm rising tensions in the area but were fatally caught in the crossfire.
“The fight broke out early in the morning and escalated very fast. In the course of trying to separate the warring sides, two soldiers were killed,” a community leader said.
The renewed violence has sparked panic among residents, forcing many to flee their homes. Several houses and farmlands were reportedly set ablaze during the clash.
Taraba State Police Command spokesman, James Leshen, confirmed the development, adding that security operatives have been mobilised to restore order.
“Security agencies have moved into the community to contain the situation and prevent further casualties. A full assessment of the damage is ongoing,” Leshen said.
Reacting to the killings, Karim-Lamido youth leader, Musa Garba, described the soldiers’ deaths as a tragic reminder of the deepening security crisis in the area.
“Our people are tired of running from their ancestral homes. We need a lasting solution to these senseless killings,” he said.
Similarly, the Human Rights Defenders Forum (HRDF), a Jalingo-based advocacy group, condemned the attack and called for tougher measures to curb the violence.
“This rising cycle of violence is turning rural Taraba into a killing field. Both state and federal governments must act decisively,” the group said in a statement.
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