Tragedy as families in Munga Lalau and Munga Doso communities in Taraba State on Saturday buried dozens of loved ones killed by suspected herdsmen.
The attack happened around 2am on Friday in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses said the attackers, more than 50 in number, came on motorcycles and began shooting at sleeping villagers.
“They came around 2am, shooting everywhere. People ran into the bush. Some didn’t survive,” said Soja Emmanuel, a survivor of the attack.
A soldier who took part in the rescue said, “We have counted 42 bodies so far, with many still missing.”
Residents said the armed men were carrying AK-47 rifles and machetes. They went from house to house, setting homes on fire and killing anyone they found.
The Chairman of the Munga Youth Forum, Suleiman Joel, confirmed the high number of deaths. “These are not random killings. It is a planned extermination. People returned home because of promises of safety. Now they are gone. What do we tell their families?” he said.
During the mass burial on Saturday, families cried as they laid their loved ones to rest. Soldiers and other security agents helped with the burial.
A community leader, Augustine Munga, who lost two brothers, called for quick action. “The killings must stop. The government must find and punish those responsible,” he said.
Another resident, who lost four relatives, said, “We all slept in the bush yesterday. We came back this morning to see our homes burnt.”
Madam Sarah Bitrus, who lost her husband and two family members, was too broken to speak. With tears in her eyes, she said, “My world has ended.”
Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State condemned the killings, describing them as “horrendous and unacceptable.” In a statement from his media adviser, Emmanuel Bello, he said many people were killed and promised to find those behind the attack.
“We must all work together—government, security forces, and citizens—to stop these attacks,” the governor said.
He also called on residents to stay alert and report any suspicious activity to security agents.
The acting Police Public Relations Officer in Taraba, James Lashen, confirmed the attack and blamed it on suspected herdsmen.
“There was an attack on Munga community. Our men responded quickly, and the attackers ran away. We recovered four bodies and one motorcycle. No officers were hurt,” he said.
The attack in Taraba is one of many violent incidents in the North in recent months. Across several states—especially Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger—hundreds have been killed in clashes linked to banditry and farmer-herder conflicts.
Just last month, 56 people were killed in Benue during coordinated attacks. In Plateau, 40 people died in a similar incident. In Borno State, 57 were killed last week by Boko Haram-linked fighters.
