By Ekani Olikita
The Catholic Church has raised alarm over renewed and escalating attacks by Fulani ethnic militia on Christian communities in Takum Local Government Area (county) of Taraba State.
Reverend Father George Dogo, Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Parish, Takum under the Catholic Diocese of Wukari, made the distress call in a press statement on Monday, October 27, 2025, describing the situation as “a growing campaign of terror against Christian communities.”
Takum, an agrarian local government area (County), located about 297 kilometers Southwest of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, shares borders with Katsina-Ala County of Benue State to the East—is predominantly Christian, with an estimated 95 percent of its population belonging to the Catholic faith. It is also the hometown of Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defense, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd), a respected Jukun leader and elder statesman.
Former Army Chief’s Warning Re-echoes
General Danjuma, who once served as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, had in March 2018 accused the Nigerian military of colluding with Fulani terrorists to attack innocent citizens. He had urged Nigerians to defend themselves, warning that reliance on the armed forces would prove fatal.
“The armed forces are not neutral. They collude with the armed bandits that kill people. If you are depending on the armed forces to stop the killings, you will die one by one,” Danjuma had warned.
Reaffirming his position in April 2025, the retired general said, “The warning I gave years ago is still valid today. Nigerians must rise and defend themselves.”
Church Decries Renewed Attacks
In his recent statement, Rev. Fr. Dogo lamented the rising wave of killings, displacement, and destruction of farmlands in Takum and surrounding communities, despite repeated appeals for government intervention.
“Our people are suffering. Hundreds have been displaced, farmlands destroyed, and livelihoods ruined. We appeal to the government to take swift action before the situation worsens,” he said.
He called on the Taraba State Government, security agencies and humanitarian organizations to provide immediate relief materials to affected victims.
Origin of the Renewed Violence
According to the Church, the recent attacks began on September 19, 2025, following the killing of 16 security operatives in the Agu Center area of Katsina-Ala Local Government, Benue State. The violence later spread into border communities of Takum.
Communities Worst Hit
The affected communities include Dogon Gawa, Tor Gbengee, Jenuwa Nyifiye, Jenuwa Haba, Jenuwa Gida, Jenuwa Ruwander, Jenuwa Nytsu, Kwari, and Ribasi, where farmlands were extensively destroyed.
In Asuku and Mbakyula villages, two persons were critically injured, while about 150 residents were displaced. Another 200 fled Imbor, Mbaaga, Chakera, Hoyoo, Mbayatsav, Genda, and Ikyor after their farms were burnt.
Similarly, Tir-Lijam, Akaajo, Abunde, Akase, Ikyo-Dam, and Iortev were reportedly deserted, displacing over 560 residents. In Ikper, Kur-Hindi, Wombo, Kwaghcia, and Angaha, another 400 villagers were forced from their homes after their farmlands were set ablaze.
The violence also spread to Muji I and II, Kwariben, Nzuwaya, and Tusun Haake, where farms were destroyed, while in Tarhembe and Tornyi, all farmlands were razed, leaving one person critically injured and more than 400 residents displaced.
Residents Speak Out
A teacher at Government High School Peva, Mr. Jonathan Peva, told TruthNigeria that the attackers are “Fulani jihadists” seeking to occupy indigenous lands.
“They speak Fufulde and chant Allahu Akbar during attacks. Our villages have been deserted, and people have moved to Chanchangi, Amadu, Peva, or Takum town for safety. The abandoned villages are now under Fulani terrorist occupation. Hunger is imminent in our land,” he said.
Peva further accused the military of inaction despite the presence of the 4th Motorized Infantry Battalion in Takum.
“The terrorists operate just 2 to 3 kilometers from the Battalion headquarters, yet there has been no decisive response. This inaction has emboldened the attackers,” he lamented.
Youth Leader Alleges Land Grab, Mass Killings
The National President of the Kuteb Youth Association, Comrade Caleb Danjuma, described the attacks as genocidal and aimed at territorial takeover.
“Fulani terrorists have killed over 250 of our people and destroyed 80 villages in Takum, Ussa, and Yangtu Development Areas. None of our villages shares boundaries with any Fulani settlement, yet they have occupied our deserted lands,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to treat the crisis in Takum with the same seriousness as the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast.
“What is happening in Takum should be treated like the Boko Haram war in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. This is no longer a farmer-herder clash—it’s a coordinated jihadist invasion,” Caleb added.
A Call for Urgent Action
The Catholic Church, through Fr. Dogo, has appealed to both state and federal authorities to act swiftly to halt the ongoing bloodshed and displacement.
“We cannot continue to watch our people perish. The government must protect lives and restore peace to our communities,” he said.
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria.
