25 Killed, 114 Churches Shut In Renewed Taraba Attacks

No fewer than 25 people have been killed and several others were injured in renewed attacks within the past few days across seven communities in Takum and Donga local government areas of Taraba State, the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said on Friday.

The attacks which lasted for two days forced many residents out of their communities, while about 114 churches across various denominations were shut.

Catholic parishes and outstations as well as churches of other denominations are also affected.

In a press statement in Jalingo on Friday signed by Rev. Fr. Williams Awoshiri, the chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Taraba State, condemned the wave of violent attacks in the state.

CAN in the statement confirmed that about 11 persons were killed in attacks last Sunday, while an additional 14 lost their lives in further attacks on Tuesday.

It said, local residents and church leaders who were their primary sources of the incident also confirmed ugly situation.

The statement listed Adu, Aga, Mbaiyerikyaior, Tse-Nev, Facii, Demevaa and Igbum as some of the communities affected during the renewed violence in the two localities.

CAN expressed concern over reports that several Catholic parishes and church outstations had been deserted, attacked or shut down due to the insecurity.

“These include St. Peter Amadu, St. Peter New Gboko, Holy Family Takum, St. Francis Jenuwa Nyifiye, and churches within the Chanchanji Deanery, namely Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chanchanji, St. Augustine Usoh, St. James the Great, Adu; St. Joseph Demevar, St. Jude Ansua, St. John Geraga, and St. Mary Atav.

“About 103 churches of other denominations across Takum and Donga LGAs have also been forced to close as a result of the persistent attacks,” the statement said.

It noted that, the violence, which began in September, has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Christian farmers, who have fled their communities and are currently taking refuge in Peva and Amadu towns of Takum local government.

While commending the Taraba State government for deploying security personnel to the Amadu axis, CAN expressed disappointment that the deployment lasted only a few days, as killings continued unabated.

It called for the urgent deployment of security forces to the affected communities to halt the killings.