Panic has gripped communities in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State following a deadly night attack by suspected herders on Wednesday, which left one resident dead and over 100 houses burnt.
The affected area, Bandawa Gwenzu, is made up of Gwenzu, Langwanshin, and Danzhan villages. The attackers reportedly stormed the area under the cover of darkness, unleashing violence that forced residents to flee into nearby forests and across rivers for safety.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, community youth leader Ishaya Peter condemned the attack and accused security agencies of ignoring repeated warnings from locals prior to the invasion.
“We had raised alarm hours before the attack, but no action was taken,” he said.According to Peter, the attackers arrived heavily armed, while the residents—armed with only bows, arrows, and cutlasses—were powerless to resist.
Tragically, one victim died while attempting to escape across a river, unable to swim to safety.“The villages are now deserted,” Peter added.
“Women and children have been evacuated for fear of further attacks. We’re still counting our losses, and the silence from authorities is deeply worrying.”
