A fresh communal conflict in Taraba State has left widespread destruction in its wake, with about 340 houses reportedly burnt and more than 1,000 residents displaced from communities in Sardauna Local Government Area.
The violence occurred in Geroji and neighbouring settlements in Mbamnga Ward of Sardauna LGA, where fighting involving members of the Mambilla and Fulani communities reportedly lasted for about three days from September 16, 2026.
Reports from the affected communities indicate that residents, particularly women, children and elderly people, fled their homes as the violence escalated. Some reportedly sought refuge in neighbouring communities, while others crossed the border into Cameroon.
The scale of the destruction has raised humanitarian concerns. Community leader Ardo Bashiru said more than 340 houses scattered across the difficult mountainous terrain of Geroji and Mbara were completely destroyed during the confrontation.
Food supplies and other sources of livelihood were also reportedly lost in the violence. Bashiru said tonnes of foodstuff and other essential possessions belonging to affected families were destroyed, leaving many victims without shelter, food or clothing.
Several settlements were identified among the worst affected, including Wuro Buba, Wuro Ardo Bashiru, Wuro Wakili Idrisa, Wuro Saleh Petel, Wuro Hassan Jaji, Wuro Alhaji Jibo, Wuro Alhaji Manu and Wuro Mbarkal.
Reports about the death toll have varied. Local accounts initially described an unverified number of fatalities, including a Department of State Services personnel, while another recent conflict report put the number of deaths on the Mambilla Plateau at nine. The casualty figure therefore requires further official confirmation rather than being presented as conclusively seven.
Livestock were also reportedly affected, with community sources saying cattle and sheep were killed or rustled during the violence. The destruction of livestock has added to the economic losses suffered by residents whose livelihoods depend substantially on farming and animal husbandry.
Chairman of Sardauna Local Government Area, Alhaji Mohammed Umar, confirmed the crisis and said it reportedly began after a confrontation between a Mambilla woman and a Fulani man on a farm. He described the development as unfortunate and said security personnel had been deployed to the affected locations.
Umar also said arrangements had been made for refugees who crossed into Nyang in Cameroon’s Donga-Mantung Division to return, while appealing for support from government authorities, traditional institutions, development partners and humanitarian organisations for the resettlement and rehabilitation of those affected.
The Chief of Mbamnga, Alhaji Abubakar Saleh, appealed for calm and urged residents to preserve the longstanding relationship between the communities. The latest violence has also revived concerns over the security situation on the Mambilla Plateau, an area that experienced deadly communal violence in 2017 and 2018.
With more than 1,000 people displaced and hundreds of homes destroyed, immediate concerns include shelter, food, clothing, healthcare and the safe return of displaced families. Authorities and humanitarian organisations are now faced with the dual challenge of addressing the emergency needs of victims while working to prevent another escalation of communal violence.
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