• Residents fault governor’s handling of insecurity
• Arewa leaders lament North’s multiple tragedies
• Nasarawa lawmakers deplore security challenges
Two soldiers have been feared killed, following a fresh outbreak of violence between farmers and herders at Bandawa community in Karim-Lamido Local Council of Taraba State.
The deadly clash, which erupted on Wednesday morning, as observed by The Guardian, is the latest in a wave of violent confrontations that have continued to unsettle rural communities across the state.
Eyewitnesses, who spoke with our correspondent, explained that the troops were deployed to the area as part of a peacekeeping effort, but were fatally caught in the crossfire between the opposing groups.
“The fighting started early in the morning and escalated rapidly. In the process of trying to intervene, two soldiers lost their lives,” said a local community leader.
Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, James Leshen, said security personnel had been dispatched to the area to restore order.
Also reacting, a youth leader in Karim-Lamido, Musa Garba, described the casualties as “a tragic reminder of the need for stronger government action.”
While the Nigerian Army is yet to issue an official statement, the development was confirmed by its acting spokesperson, Lieutenant Umar Mohammad.
This is even as residents have criticized Governor Agbu Kefas, accusing him of failing to personally engage with communities hit hardest by violence.
Since assuming office in May 2023, expectations were high that the governor, an ex-military officer with a background in intelligence, would decisively tackle the security challenges inherited from his predecessor, Darius Dickson Ishaku.
However, many Taraba residents now say the situation has deteriorated under his leadership.
In particular, residents of the Karim-Lamido council area, which has seen a spate of deadly attacks in recent months, lamented the governor’s absence in their time of need.
Speaking to The Guardian, community members alleged that Kefas had not visited the affected areas or reached out to grieving families.
“Rather than show empathy, he appears more interested in travelling abroad and spending public funds on ventures that yield no visible benefits,” a resident said.
Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), yesterday, reflected on the tragedies confronting the North, lamenting that the region has been battered by insecurity, natural disasters, and deaths of many of its illustrious sons and daughters.
Speaking at the 78th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Kaduna, ACF Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN), stated that the forum was mourning the passing of prominent sons, including former President Muhammadu Buhari; ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Lawal Uwais; former ACF Chairman, Audu Ogbeh; renowned philanthropist, Aminu Dantata, and former Minister of Education, Prof. Jubril Aminu.
He said the spate of tragedies extended beyond prominent figures, as children, young people, and the aged continue to die from floods, accidents, and attacks by bandits, marauders, and terrorists.
“Our pains as a region are enormous. We have lost leaders of stature and ordinary citizens alike — to natural causes, to insecurity, and to disasters. This calls for deep introspection and ceaseless prayers,” Osuman told the gathering before inviting members to observe a minute of silence.
Despite the sombre mood, the ACF said preparations for its 25th anniversary celebrations, billed for October, remain on course. Committees, according to Osuman, were already working to deliver “a profound and historic event” to reflect the forum’s resilience.
Also, the Nasarawa House of Assembly has raised the alarm over the rising insecurity in the state, especially kidnapping.
The Speaker, Dr. Danladi Jatau, expressed concern after the member representing Lafia Central Constituency, Mr. Solomon Akwashiki, raised the issue as a matter of public interest during the House’s proceedings in Lafia.
Jatau called on security agencies in the state to utilise the anti-kidnapping law passed by the House to contain the menace.
“Our resolutions are as thus: we call on the state governor to direct security agencies to beef up security across the state.
“Secondly, we are directing security agencies to use the law passed by this House to curb kidnapping.
“Thirdly, we call on residents to report suspicious movements, activities and individuals to security agents for action,” he said.
