Some clerics have called for an end to attacks and threats by suspected herdsmen on the people of Munga Dosso community in Karim-Lamido local government area of Taraba State.
Speaking with newsmen in Jos the Plateau State capital on the recent attack which claimed the lives of over 12 youths of the community, Pastor Amos Gwamna of RCCG Jos who is also from the community said they have lived together with the Fulani herdsmen for a long time and coexisted peacefully, and thus the recent attack was unfortunate.
He urged the Fulani to check the criminals among them and not to allow other criminal elements from outside to infiltrate them as well.
“I do not understand why we should now allow marauders start killing innocent souls. This must not be allowed.
“I totally condemn the killings and I call on the Fulani community in Karim-Lamido not to allow outsiders, who are not part of their lineage, to destroy the relationships we have built over the years. Munga Dosso people too are cattle rearers, and some individuals in the community even have over 500 cows.
“So, I want to call the attention of the international community and the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure that the perpetrators of these killings are brought to justice.
“This violence is going beyond what the communities can manage. People label these attacks as ‘herdsmen’ or ‘bandits’ but the real question is: who are the people within these communities sponsoring them?
“The issue is not just about the killers, but also about those who brought them into this country. We must address the root causes.
“I call on all neighbouring communities to come together and support the committee set up by the governor to bring an end to these injustices and unholy killings,” he said.
On his part, Bishop Yohanna Johnwesley (former Bishop of the United Methodist Church Nigeria Episcopal and the Bishop Emeritus of the Global Methodist Church Nigeria) said the herdsmen are now coming in large numbers, dominating and trying to occupy land that belongs to many families.
“Currently, there is relative peace. However, the people still live in fear. Everyone is afraid because we don’t know what could happen next.
Whenever they travel or go about their activities, they hear from neighbours or others warning that Fulani or herdsmen may attack again. This has left the people restless and without peace of mind due to the kind of information they are receiving.
“Community leaders have been making efforts by engaging the government, urging them to come to the aid of the people. As I speak to you, they are still advocating for the deployment of permanent security—especially police personnel—to stay within the village.
“This would safeguard lives and ensure nothing happens to the people. Having police in the area would not only protect Munga but also benefit surrounding communities.
“The people cannot continue living under threats or insecurity, where conflict and division persist, and we reject the takeover of farmlands by any group.
“The government must ensure that herders are allocated designated areas for grazing—not lands that people already own and have lived on for generations,” he said.
Meanwhile, a statement by the acting secretary of the Munga Dosso community, Bukar Robert, said there have been several guerrilla tactics employed by the herders over the years on their community, which has led to many deaths.
According to him, the Fulani herders have historically had conflicts with nearly every tribe in Taraba State and across Nigeria, adding that the annoying part always is that whenever their people are killed, the same people would be arrested, taken to police station, then to prison, but none of the perpetrators are ever brought to justice.
He said in the recent crisis, the Fulani perpetrators were arrested with sophisticated rifles and taken to Karim Lamido police station but were released the next day, to their shock, adding sadly that no government representatives from federal, state, or local levels have visited their community after this incident.
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