AFRICA/NIGERIA – Church attacked in Taraba State, northeastern Nigeria

Abuja – St. James the Great Catholic Church in Adu, Takum District, Taraba State, in northeastern Nigeria, was attacked.
On March 23, armed Fulani herders caused significant damage in an attack on the church: windows were broken, parish buildings were ransacked, and the rectory was damaged.
The attack was described as precise and coordinated and followed a warning issued by security forces on March 19 of imminent coordinated attacks in Taraba and southern Kaduna. According to local press reports, the Nigerian security forces’ warning was very detailed and indicated an imminent coordinated terrorist attack against the civilian population in the towns of Chenchenji and Yelwa along the road between Wukari and Takum on Sunday, March 22.
The Nigerian intelligence report stated that on March 19, a group of armed Fulani herders was spotted crossing the Donga River in the direction of Gbundu and further southwest towards Amadu and Chenchenji.
This is another indication of the increasing infiltration of the region by armed gangs who use the migration of large herds of cattle as cover—a phenomenon observed in recent months. The bandits have meanwhile established themselves in camps in the bush and rural areas.
The intelligence report states that aerial surveillance conducted by drones confirmed the presence of herders carrying automatic weapons. According to security forces, this indicates an escalation of gang activity.
The attack on the church is seen as retaliation for the losses inflicted on the bandits on March 17. Self-defense groups from the local community of Tor-Damisa repelled an attack by armed herders with their flocks, resulting in significant livestock losses. Meanwhile, the insecurity in the region has forced approximately 90,000 people to flee.

Read original article