By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Priests, religious and other faithfuls from the Catholic Dioceses of Wukari and Jalingo have staged a peaceful protest against continued mass killings of peasant farmers in parts of Takum, Donga and Ussa Local Government Areas of Taraba State and the seeming indifference of relevant authorities.
The protest which hold on Thursday in Jalingo and tagged a “solidarity walk” condemn the attacks on communities in Chanchanji Ward of Takum that have faced the worse onslaught leading to the death of over 80 persons under 90 days, displacements on Thousands and destruction of property and means of livelihood.
Addressing the Press at the end of the protest, Very Rev. Fr. James Yaro, Vicar Pastoral of Catholic Diocese of Wukari said that the attacks have led to the destruction of over 200 Churches and communities and pose a direct infringement on the constitutional right to freedom of religion of the affected communities.
The statement reads in parts that “it has become expedient for us as a diocese to carry out this solidarity walk and to address you, Gentlemen of the Press, on the lingering and heartbreaking carnage that has been going on in Wukari Diocese particularly Chanchanji Ward of Takum Local Government Area, and parts of Ussa and Donga Local Government Areas in Southern Taraba since September 2025.
“More than 80 persons have been killed so far, several others injured with various degrees of injuries, while over 200 communities and Churches have been destroyed and the residents, numbering over 90,000 Catholics, displaced.
“The suspected Fulani militia who carry out these attacks usually come in the wee hours, mostly while people are sleeping and launch the attacks, killing anyone in sight and setting houses and harvests ablaze.
“The suspected Fulani militia have also taken over the entire farmlands of the people and would attack anybody who dares to visit his farm in an attempt to get food for his family. Some women have been raped in the process of doing so. There have been instances where they block the roads and kill unsuspecting and harmless farmers with impunity. Most recently the Fulani Militia have resorted to harvesting the farm produce of displaced communities and feeding same to their animals.
“The Fulani militia crisis situation in Southern Taraba State have lingered and continue to pose existential threat to life as well serious challenge to the growth of the Christian faith and infrastructural development of the area. This crisis does not only cost lives and property. It also greatly infringes on the religious freedom of Christians in the affected communities.
“In as much as we appreciate the intervention of the Taraba State Government and security agencies in tackling the ongoing security challenges in the State especially the timely intervention in Karim Lamido, Sarkin Kudu axis and Rafin Kada/Takum road axis, we equally call for an extension of same timely intervention to address and put an end to the carnage that has been going on in Chanchanji Ward and other parts of Takum, Ussa and more recently, parts of Donga Local Government Areas in order to restore peace in the affected communities.
“As a matter of urgency, adequate security personnel should be mobilized and deployed to the hinterlands where this carnage is taking place unabated. The government at all levels must be deliberate in ensuring security guarantees and bringing enablers and perpetrators of these dastardly acts or heinous crimes against humanity to justice through their immediate arrest and prosecution, irrespective of their ethnic, political and religious affiliations.
“The plight of the Internally Displaced Persons require immediate intervention by the government, humanitarian agencies at all levels, NGOs, philanthropists and people of goodwill. The urgent needs of the IDPs include, among other things, relief materials such as food stuff, beddings, toiletries, medical health care and temporary tents in order to guarantee their overall well-being so as to avert a major humanitarian disaster.
“It is also expedient for major key players such as the traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, local government chairmen and other political leaders in the affected area to meet and engage sincerely in constructive dialogue aimed at fostering lasting peace and stability in the southern Taraba State region”.
The statement further threaten that “if all these efforts fail and it seems that the State can no longer guarantee the security of lives and property of our people, we would have no option than to seek help from the International Community.
“Nonetheless, we continue to pledge our relentless spiritual support to the government, the traditional rulers and security personnel for God’s continuous guidance and protection upon them as they carry out their constitutional and administrative responsibilities for the common good”.
Daily Sun reports that the priests carried placards with various inscriptions calling for an end to the senseless killings and emphasising the sanctity of every human life.
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