Residents of Chanchanji Ward in Takum Local Government Area are fleeing their homes following a large-scale attack by armed gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias. The army has been deployed to contain the violence.
On Sunday morning, displaced residents were seen on the roadside with their belongings as they sought safer locations. School principals and local clergy report that academic activities have been severely disrupted by the influx of people taking refuge in schools after their villages were destroyed.
Simon Avioko, principal of Regina Packs School in Chanchanji, and Rev. Fr. Samuel Ogah, administrator of Holy Copy Schools in Takum, said that many displaced families have withdrawn their children from school due to insecurity and the loss of livelihoods.
At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, the Dean of Chanchanji Deanery, Rev. Fr. Edward Barau, said residents lived in fear after receiving reports that the militias planned an attack before the assault on Saturday. He said most people had fled but added that not everyone had the means to leave. “Many of these people came here to take refuge because their communities were destroyed, loved ones were killed and injured, and their means of livelihood were wiped out,” he said.
Local sources said the attack was heavy but that the military responded swiftly and repelled the assailants. Tension remains high, and the presence of soldiers is seen as the main deterrent to further attacks.
In Tor Damisa in Donga Local Government Area, where three policemen and others were killed in an attack last week, Rev. Fr. Mathias Akough said credible warnings of imminent attacks prompted many residents to flee. He cited a video by Judd Saul, executive director of Equipping the Persecuted, which allegedly outlined plans by militants to target parts of southern Taraba and southern Kaduna after Ramadan.
Community leaders say they have received intelligence indicating that Fulani militias in Takum were mobilising personnel, arms, and ammunition and taking positions in villages around New Gboko to stage attacks on Chanchanji. They reported movements of machine gun-armed fighters along the Donga River toward Chanchanji.
“We are not calling just to inform you of continued carnage but to draw attention to credible information suggesting attacks are imminent in Chanchanji and Tor Damisa,” a community statement said. The statement urged security agencies to review deployments and strengthen intelligence gathering to avert further violence. It praised Governor Agbu Kefas for visiting affected areas with Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, but called on the governor to do more to halt the attacks and restore peace.
Sancta Maria Clinic and Maternity in Takum is overwhelmed by the influx of injured persons, Reverend Sister Filipa Fangpa said. The facility is operating beyond capacity and has appealed for government and non-governmental support to care for patients and reach displaced people.
Evacuations are ongoing amid heightened tension and deepening frustration among residents. There has been no immediate official casualty toll available at the time of this report.
