Reps urge FG action after Taraba clash kills five, displaces residents

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to halt the recurring violence between the Karinjo and Wurkun communities in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, following a fresh clash that claimed lives, displaced residents and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

The call followed a motion sponsored by Mohammed Audu, who drew the attention of lawmakers to the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the affected communities.

Presenting the motion during plenary on Wednesday, Audu said violence erupted again between the two communities on May 29, 2026, resulting in the death of at least five persons, injuries to several others and widespread destruction of homes, farm produce and livestock.

The lawmaker warned that the renewed hostilities “have compounded an already precarious security situation in Karim Lamido, where communities are also grappling with attacks by bandits operating around the border areas linking Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.”

He noted that the latest violence has forced more than 100 residents from their homes, leaving many vulnerable and without access to basic necessities.

Audu told the House that, “over 100 persons in various communities in Karim have been displaced and rendered homeless, places like Salakan, thus exposing them to further attacks as they are unable to easily access potable water and basic essentials required for decent living.”

He further lamented the devastating impact of the conflict on local livelihoods, noting that the affected communities are predominantly agrarian and depend heavily on farming and livestock rearing for survival.

The lawmaker said many residents have lost their means of livelihood as farms, crops and animals were destroyed during the clashes.

According to him, “the victims are suffering untold hardship as being predominantly farmers, their sources of livelihood have suddenly been destroyed, with villages like Mutun Daya, Bambur Zailani, Didango, Andami and Mayo-Gauri filled up with refugees.”

The House expressed concern that repeated outbreaks of violence between neighbouring communities continue to threaten peace and stability in parts of Taraba State, particularly in areas already exposed to criminal activities and cross-border banditry.

Karim Lamido Local Government Area has, over the years, witnessed intermittent communal disputes, often linked to disagreements over land ownership, boundary claims and access to natural resources. Security challenges in the wider North-East and North-Central corridors have further complicated efforts to achieve lasting peace, with criminal groups exploiting remote and poorly secured rural areas.

Lawmakers warned that without decisive action, the humanitarian situation could worsen as displaced families struggle to secure shelter, food, clean water and healthcare.

The House subsequently called on relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to restore peace in the affected communities and prevent further loss of lives and property. It also urged the Federal Government and humanitarian agencies to provide emergency relief to displaced persons and support communities affected by the violence.

Members stressed the need for a lasting resolution of the conflict through dialogue, strengthened security presence and sustained peace-building initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of the recurring clashes.

The intervention by the House comes amid growing concerns over the rising number of communal conflicts across several parts of the country, many of which have contributed to displacement, food insecurity and heightened humanitarian challenges in rural communities.