Councillor, Monarch, 10 Others Killed In Taraba Communal Clash

A violent attack has erupted in a Tiv farming community in Akete ward, Donga local government area of Taraba State, claiming the lives of the councillor representing the ward, Hon. Vaatyough Waakaa, a village head of Mbaiyoon, and 10 others.

The attack, which occurred in the night of Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Tor-Damsa village of the area, was allegedly carried out by armed militias suspected to be Fulani herders.

LEADERSHIP findings revealed that farm produce, houses and other valuables, were destroyed during the attack on the Tiv farmers, whereas many villagers were forced to flee to neighbouring communities for safety.

Sources said the growing tension and persistent attacks were reportedly linked to disagreements over land ownership and local boundary claims, despite previous peace efforts by stakeholders in the area.

Some of the survivors said the assailants stormed Akete and other neighbouring settlements, and moved from house to house to unleash mayhem on the people.

The survivors, however, accused security agents for not being proactive when distress calls were made to them, even before the situation escalated.

The killing of the Akete Ward councillor has added a political dimension to the crisis, raising questions about whether the attack was targeted or part of a broader communal or reprisal violence.

ASP Victor Mshelizah, the Acting Police Public Relations Officer of the Taraba State Police Command, who confirmed the incident, said only three persons, excluding the councillor and the village head, were discovered killed.

ASP Mshelizah added that tactical teams have been deployed to Donga LGA to restore calm, while investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible.

“The Command will not relent in its efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the Police spokesman assured.

The chairman of Donga local government area council, Yahaya Ali Iki, in a statement, condemned the killings, described carnage as a senseless assault on peace, security and democratic institutions at the grassroots.

Iki, therefore, expressed the state government’s condolences to the families of the victims and directed security agencies to intensify patrols in flashpoint communities across the area.