At least 30 people lost their lives last Friday in a deadly attack on Munga Lelau, a community in the Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State. Armed assailants reportedly stormed the village around 2:30 p.m., setting fire to homes and food storage facilities worth millions of naira.
The incident is the latest in a series of recurring clashes between farmers and herders in the area, but local sources have described Friday’s attack as the deadliest in recent memory.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen, believed to be Fulani herdsmen, arrived on motorcycles and launched a coordinated assault from multiple directions, catching residents off guard. However, Fulani pastoralists have countered these claims, alleging that they too have been victims of violent attacks by farming communities.
Several neighbouring villages were also attacked, though casualty figures from those areas remain unconfirmed. Witness accounts paint a grim picture of indiscriminate shootings, burning homes, and widespread destruction. One survivor described the assault as “a nightmare in broad daylight.”
According to Daily Trust, security personnel were stationed in Bandawa—a nearby community previously hit by similar violence—when the attackers descended on Munga Lelau. By the time security forces arrived, over 20 bodies had already been recovered, and many residents were wounded by gunfire.
Victims were buried in a mass grave on Saturday under the supervision of military and police personnel, as the community grappled with grief and devastation.
Prior to the May 23 attack, a series of violent incidents had been reported in Bandawa, Munga, and Fulani settlements, with dozens killed in ongoing clashes and reprisal attacks.
Bandawa community spokesperson, Mr. Joachim Dangana, condemned the violence, calling the event deeply tragic. He emphasized the historically peaceful relationship between the Fulani and Bandawa communities and appealed for reconciliation to restore lasting peace.
He also stressed the importance of peace for Taraba State’s development, especially as Governor Agbu Kefas works to draw local and foreign investment to the region.
Isa Ahmed, speaking for the Fulani community, echoed calls for peace but also highlighted the suffering endured by Fulani groups in the area. He alleged that over 30 Fulani individuals, including women and youths, had been killed in previous assaults, with more than 35 injured and hundreds of cattle either killed or stolen.
“Our voices are not heard, our complaints are ignored, and yet we are labelled as the aggressors,” Ahmed said.
Daily Trust investigations revealed that Karim Lamido is a key destination for dry-season rice farmers from across Nigeria. However, the escalating violence has forced many to abandon the area for safer locations.
The Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the attack on Munga Lelau and stated that investigations are ongoing.