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 Slstate by suspected Fulani militia.

Speaking with journalists in Jalingo on Sunday, UMDA Chairman, Mr. Joel Iorember, said residents of the community were living in fear following intelligence indicating a possible imminent attack.

According to him, the development has created panic in the area, forcing thousands of residents to flee to neighbouring communities for safety.

Iorember alleged that residents of Tor-Damisa had in recent months suffered repeated attacks on their 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 returning internally displaced persons (IDPs) and destroying farmlands, thereby worsening the humanitarian situation in the community.

The UMDA chairman said the incidents had been reported to security agencies but alleged that the attacks had persisted despite the reports.

He recalled that troops of the Nigerian Army stationed in Abako, along the Taraba-Benue border, had recently acted on intelligence to uncover an alleged militia camp at Tsav-Nomchongo village in Tor-Damisa community, where arms and ammunition were reportedly recovered.

Iorember appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas and security agencies to take proactive measures to prevent further violence and restore normalcy, enabling displaced residents to return to their homes and resume farming.

He commended security personnel operating in Donga Local Government Area for responding to previous security threats and urged them to remain vigilant in view of the alleged planned attack.

“We are worried that this conflict is resurfacing after efforts were made to restore normalcy in the community,” he 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 claimed two of their cows were stolen around Tor-Damisa, which they alleged prompted the planned attack.

“As I speak, they have already chased our farmers away from their farms, destroyed crops and farmlands, and displaced our people for the second time this year.

“We appreciate the deployment of security personnel in Tor-Damisa and call on Governor Agbu Kefas to intensify efforts to ensure our people return to their homes and continue their farming activities.

“As it stands, Fulani herders are occupying our villages, making it impossible for our people to return and continue their daily activities,” he alleged.

Tor-Damisa and surrounding communities have witnessed recurring violence in recent months. Attacks in January and February reportedly claimed several lives and led to the destruction of villages.

Three police officers and the chairman of the local vigilante group were also killed during the crisis, prompting the deployment of personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Mobile Police Force to the area.

Following the violence, leaders of the Tiv and Fulani communities, under the mediation of the Taraba State Government, held a peace meeting during which both parties agreed to a ceasefire and pledged to coexist peacefully.