Taraba in Mourning as Deadly Attack Leaves Dozens Dead in Karim-Lamido Villages May 25, 2025

Taraba in Mourning as Deadly Attack Leaves Dozens Dead in Karim-Lamido Villages
May 25, 2025

Grief and anguish gripped the Munga Lalau and Munga Doso communities of Karim-Lamido Local Government Area, Taraba State, as mass burials were held on Saturday for dozens of villagers brutally murdered in a midnight raid by suspected herdsmen.

The tragedy unfolded around 2 a.m. on Friday when armed attackers, estimated to be over 50, stormed the villages on motorcycles, firing indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze. According to eyewitnesses, the victims were mostly asleep when the assailants struck.

“So far, 42 bodies have been recovered, and many are still unaccounted for,” a soldier involved in the rescue operation told reporters.

Suleiman Joel, Chairman of the Munga Youth Forum, described the massacre as deliberate and chilling. “This isn’t random violence; it’s a calculated extermination,” he lamented. “People who returned home believing it was safe have now been wiped out. How do we explain this to their loved ones?”

Survivors Relive the Horror

Survivors painted a grim picture of the attack. “We woke up to gunfire and chaos,” said Soja Emmanuel. “People fled into the bush in panic, some never made it out.”

Another resident, overcome with emotion, recounted losing four family members. “The destruction is unlike anything we’ve seen. We spent the night hiding in the hills and came back to find our homes destroyed,” he said through sobs.

Among the mourners was Madam Sarah Bitrus, who lost her husband and two relatives. With tears streaming down her face, she said in a trembling voice, “My world has ended.”

Community Leaders Demand Action

At the mass burial in Munga Lalau, community leaders called on the government for urgent intervention. “We cannot continue to live in fear,” said Augustine Munga, a local leader who lost two siblings in the attack. “These killings must stop. The perpetrators must be found and brought to justice.”

Government Responds

Reacting to the incident, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas condemned the massacre, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable.” Through a statement issued by his media aide, Emmanuel Bello, the governor promised to ensure justice is served and vowed to strengthen the state’s security apparatus.

Kefas also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities. “Together, we can prevent future attacks,” he said.

Police Confirm Attack, Ongoing Investigations

The acting Police Public Relations Officer in Taraba, James Lashen, confirmed the incident, attributing it to suspected herdsmen. “Our men responded swiftly, and during the confrontation, the assailants fled. We recovered four bodies and an abandoned motorcycle. No officers were harmed,” Lashen stated.

A Growing Crisis in Northern Nigeria

This latest attack adds to the growing wave of violence in Northern Nigeria, where communities are grappling with recurring clashes, banditry, and insurgency. Over the past month alone, media reports indicate that more than 380 people have been killed across several northern states including Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, and Kaduna.

In April, coordinated attacks in Benue left 56 dead, while another assault in Plateau’s Kwall district claimed 40 lives. Just last week, 57 individuals were killed in Borno State by militants linked to the Boko Haram faction Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad.

With the violence showing no signs of abating, communities are calling for stronger protection, greater accountability, and a renewed national strategy to end the bloodshed.

Source News
Punch

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