AFRICA/NIGERIA – Diocese of Wakuri raises the alarm over new attacks by Fulani herders

Abuja – In the Takum district and other areas of Taraba State in northeastern Nigeria, warnings have again been issued about possible attacks by Fulani herders. This was announced by the Diocese of Wakuri in a statement dated March 25, signed by Father Anthony Bature, Administrative Vicar and head of the diocesan peace committee.
“There is a video clip circulating on social media originating from an organisation “Equipping the Persecuted,” states the document sent to Fides. “The Executive Director, Judd Saul warns of an imminent attack beginning from March 23, 2026 by the Fulani Ethnic Militia in Takum, Chanchanji and Tor Damisa ward of Donga Local Government among other places. As we all know, such an attack was already preempted in Chanchanji from March 21-22, 2026 but the terrorists were repelled by the military.
In the Takum area, St. James the Great Catholic Church in Adu was attacked . “More and more of these terrorists are regrouping in many places around Takum Local Government Area in places like New Gboko and others and in Donga Local Government Area along the Donga River and Ananum,” warns Father Bature.
The Diocese of Wakuri emphasizes that the insecurity caused by Fulani herders is exacerbating the situation for the population in the area. “The news of these attacks is deepening the fear and anxiety of the people leading to their mass exodus to unknown destinations without any hope in sight.” “In view of this, the Bishop, Most Rev. Mark Maigida Nzukwein, is calling on Deans, Priests, and Consecrated Persons of the aforementioned areas to sensitize their people and take all necessary precautionary measures to stay safe,” the statement reads, urging them “to reach out to security agencies in their jurisdictions and draw their attention to this pending attacks so as to beef up security in order to avert the looming humanitarian disaster.”
At a press conference last February, Bishop Mark Maigida Nzukwein of Wakuri reported that residents of the Chanchanji district in Takum Local Government Area and parts of Ussa and Donga Local Government Areas in South Taraba, have been living in a dramatic situation due to attacks by Fulani herders. “So far, more than 80 persons have been killed so far, several others injured with various degrees of injuries, while over 200 communities and Churches have been destroyed and the residents, numbering over 90,000 Catholics, displaced,” said Bishop Nzukwein, who stated that “the Fulani militias carrying out these attacks usually arrive in the early morning hours, mostly while people are sleeping, and attack, killing everyone they encounter and setting fire to houses and crops.” “Furthermore,” the bishop continued, “militias have taken control of the people’s farmland and attack anyone who dares to enter the fields to gather food for their families.” “Some women have been raped during these attacks,” he lamented. The herders use the crops to feed their flocks.

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