The Ugondo Mdema Development Association (UMDA) has raised the alarm over an alleged planned attack on Tor-Damisa community in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State by suspected Fulani militia.
Addressing journalists in Jalingo on Sunday, the association’s chairman, Joel Iorember, said residents were living in fear following intelligence suggesting an imminent attack on the community.
According to him, the development has triggered panic, forcing thousands of residents to flee to neighbouring communities for safety.
Iorember alleged that Tor-Damisa had in recent months suffered repeated attacks on farmlands by suspected Fulani herders, resulting in deaths and injuries, with some victims still receiving medical treatment.
He also accused the suspected herders of displacing internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had returned to the community and destroying farmlands, thereby worsening the humanitarian situation.
The UMDA chairman said the incidents had been reported to security agencies but alleged that the attacks had persisted despite the reports.
He further recalled that troops of the Nigerian Army stationed in Abako, along the Taraba-Benue border, recently acted on intelligence to uncover an alleged militia camp at Tsav-Nomchongo village in Tor-Damisa, where arms and ammunition were reportedly recovered.
“We are worried that this conflict is resurfacing after efforts were made to restore normalcy in the community,” Iorember said.
“The intelligence at our disposal suggests that suspected Fulani militia are planning another deadly attack on Tor-Damisa community.
“Our sources revealed that the herders alleged that two of their cows were stolen around Tor-Damisa, which they claimed prompted the planned attack.
