Deadly Farmer-Herder Clashes Displace Hundreds in Taraba's Karim-Lamido

A violent clash between farmers and herders in the Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State has escalated into full-blown intercommunal conflict, leaving at least 40 people dead and hundreds displaced over the past two weeks.

Security analyst and counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama revealed the disturbing details in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, citing credible intelligence from the Lake Chad region.

According to Makama, the violence erupted on May 9 when Buhari Malamby, a youth from Bandawa, confronted two Fulani herders whose cattle had allegedly trespassed onto his farmland.

“Dozens of Bandawa youths reportedly attacked the herders with machetes. In the process, Malamby was said to have been killed,” Makama reported.

In retaliation, enraged Bandawa youths slaughtered several cattle in the surrounding bush. This sparked reprisal attacks, as armed Fulani youths invaded Badawa, killing two residents and injuring another youth from Munga Dasso.

“This marked the beginning of a cycle of violence and counter-violence that has rocked the region,” Makama stated.

In response, security forces convened a peace summit on May 15 and 16, engaging key community stakeholders from Bandawa, Munga Dasso, Munga Lelau, and Fulani settlements. A peace accord was proposed, with a formal signing planned for a later date in Karim-Lamido town.

However, the fragile peace was shattered days later when a Munga Dasso youth was allegedly killed near a Fulani settlement in Munga Lelau, prompting a fresh round of revenge killings.

“Munga Lelau youths stormed the Fulani settlement and killed four individuals,” Makama said. “In retaliation, a heavily armed Fulani militia riding in on nearly 50 motorcycles with up to three riders each launched a large-scale assault on Munga Lelau.”

Authorities have since imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the affected areas to curb further bloodshed. The Nigerian Army and Police have been deployed to maintain calm and prevent additional escalation.

While some displaced residents have cautiously returned, many remain stranded and fearful, unsure if the calm will hold.