February 12, (THEWILL) — The Catholic Diocese of Wukari has warned that it may seek intervention from the international community if government authorities fail to halt what it described as persistent attacks, killings and displacement of farmers and residents across parts of Southern Taraba State.
The warning was issued on Thursday during a press briefing at the Catholic Secretariat in Jalingo, shortly after priests of the diocese staged a peaceful solidarity walk to protest the violence affecting communities in Chanchanji Ward of Takum Local Government Area and parts of Ussa and Donga LGAs.
Addressing journalists, Very Rev Fr James Yaro, Vicar Pastoral of Wukari Diocese, said more than 80 people have been killed since September 2025, with several others injured, over 200 communities and churches destroyed, and more than 90,000 Catholics displaced as a result of attacks allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani militia.
“The suspected Fulani militia who carry out these attacks usually come in the wee hours, mostly while people are sleeping and launch the attacks, killing anyone in sight and setting houses and harvests ablaze.
“The most recent attack took place in Mchia village in Chanchanji Ward on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, precisely at 4.00 am, where over ten people were allegedly killed and some houses destroyed.
“The suspected Fulani militia have also taken over the entire farmlands of the people and would attack anybody who dares to visit their farm in an attempt to get food for their family. Some women have been raped in the process of doing so.
“There have been instances where they block the roads and kill unsuspecting and harmless farmers with impunity. Most recently, the Fulani Militia have resorted to harvesting the farm produce of displaced communities and feeding the same to their animals”, the Diocese noted.
While acknowledging interventions by the Taraba State Government and security agencies in areas such as Karim Lamido, Sarkin Kudu axis and the Rafin Kada–Takum road corridor, the Diocese said similar urgency must be extended to the worst-hit communities to end what it called an “existential threat” to lives and livelihoods.
The Church outlined demands including immediate deployment of security personnel to affected hinterlands, arrest and prosecution of perpetrators regardless of affiliation, and urgent humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons.
“The government must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that adequate security personnel are mobilised and deployed to the hinterlands where this carnage is taking place unabated.
“The government at all levels must be deliberate in ensuring security guarantees and bringing enablers and perpetrators of these dastardly acts or heinous crimes against humanity to justice through their immediate arrest and prosecution, irrespective of their ethnic, political and religious affiliations.
“The plight of the Internally Displaced Persons requires immediate intervention by the government, humanitarian agencies at all levels, NGOs, philanthropists and people of goodwill. The urgent needs of the IDPs include, among other things, relief materials such as foodstuffs, beddings, toiletries, medical health care and temporary tents in order to guarantee their overall well-being so as to avert a major humanitarian disaster.
“It is also expedient for major key players such as the traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, local government chairmen and other political leaders in the affected area to meet and engage sincerely in constructive dialogue aimed at fostering lasting peace and stability in the southern Taraba State region”, they noted.
The Diocese pledged continued prayers and support for government officials, traditional rulers and security agencies, expressing hope that coordinated efforts would still deliver lasting peace in the region.
