A fresh communal clash erupted on Sunday in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, leading to loss of lives and destruction of property in Usmanu and surrounding communities.
The violence involved members of the Shomo and Karim tribes, who have a history of disputes over land and boundary ownership. Residents reported that several houses were set ablaze, while food items and other valuables were destroyed during the confrontation.
Local sources said the fighting escalated rapidly, forcing families to flee for safety as security agencies moved in to restore order.
Community leaders have called for calm, urging both sides to embrace dialogue and reconciliation to prevent further breakdown of law and order. They also appealed to the government to intervene decisively and address longstanding grievances fueling the tension.
A resident who spoke anonymously expressed sadness over the incident, praying for “restoration of peace and harmonious coexistence among the tribesmen.”
Meanwhile, public commentators have raised concerns over what they describe as limited media attention to the incident. Some analysts outlined factors that may have contributed to the muted coverage, including the nature of the conflict and lack of sensational framing often associated with national headlines.
They noted that:
1. The clash did not involve herders, which typically attracts heightened scrutiny due to national security debates.
2. Both groups involved are local farming communities, giving the incident less prominence in national discourse.
3. The conflict does not fit into a religious narrative, reducing interest from groups that usually issue public commentary.
4. Faith-based organisations may not have highlighted the incident because it does not intersect with their usual advocacy concerns.
5. Social media activism around the conflict has been low, limiting wider public engagement.
Security personnel have since been deployed to the area, while the Taraba State Government is yet to issue an official statement as of the time of filing this report.
Stakeholders continue to appeal for peace, warning that repeated outbreaks of violence threaten the stability and development of the region.
