A violent clash between suspected herders and farming communities in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State has left one person injured and no fewer than 62 houses destroyed.
The attack, which occurred following a dispute over a pond located between Tor Bali and Atongo villages, is believed to have stemmed from growing tension between Tiv farmers and Fulani herders over access to water.
Chairman of Bali Local Government Council, Aboki Dauda, confirmed the incident and described it as “terrible,” noting that while no lives were lost, several homes were razed and many residents displaced.
“What happened here was terrible. You can see houses burnt, people displaced. Trouble started at the pond where the Tiv people were fetching water, and Fulani herders brought their cattle to drink from the same source,” Dauda said.
He explained that a woman who went to the pond was allegedly assaulted by the herders after confronting them about polluting the water. The incident triggered alarm and provoked a reaction from the local community, escalating into widespread violence across the villages.
Dauda stated that he had summoned the leaders of the herders to the local government secretariat, where they were warned of consequences should such attacks recur.
A farmer, Ezekiel Gboo, who sustained injuries during the attack, narrated his ordeal: “We were working on our farms when they suddenly came from different directions with sticks and machetes. I tried to escape and alerted our Tiv leader, but I was caught and beaten by a group of them. They were about 30 in number.”
In response, the Taraba State Government sent a delegation led by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Humanitarian Affairs, Saviour Noku, to the affected areas. Relief materials were distributed, and the communities were urged to embrace peace and dialogue.
“Let us try to live in peace with our neighbours. This is just an interim measure. We have plans to support you further and ensure your safe return home,” Noku assured the victims.
The delegation also included Member of the State House of Assembly representing Bali One Constituency, Veronica Alhassan, who urged the people to eschew bitterness and give peace a chance.
The team later visited the Palace of the Chief of Bakundi, where they sought the traditional ruler’s support in promoting peaceful coexistence.
In a related development, the state government also presented relief items to victims of a recent windstorm in Garba Chede community, which claimed six lives and damaged over 200 houses.
