- Over 40 dead: Herdsmen attacks devastate Munga Lelau and Munga Dosso communities.
- Mourning declared: MUDA announces three days of mourning.
- Call for action: Urgent plea to state and federal authorities to address the crisis.
- Economic impact: Threat to agricultural activities in the region.
Horror in Karim-Lamido: Munga Communities Under Siege
The Munga Development Association (MUDA) is in deep mourning after a series of brutal attacks on the Munga Lelau and Munga Dosso communities in the Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State. The attacks, allegedly carried out by armed herdsmen, have left a trail of death and destruction.
“Unprovoked” and “Devastating”: The Scale of the Carnage
Speaking at a press conference in Jalingo, MUDA’s National President, Shamah W. Ezra, described the attacks as “unprovoked” and “devastating.” Over 40 people have been confirmed dead, with many more still missing. Homes, food stores, and valuables have been reduced to ashes.
No Help in Sight? Security Forces Stand Accused
MUDA reports that the attacks began on May 23, 2025, and continued without any intervention from security forces. Shockingly, military and police units were stationed just 20 minutes away in Karim town. Witnesses say the attackers, dressed in military camouflage and riding high-speed motorcycles, operated freely.
Root Causes: More Than Meets the Eye
While some reports suggest the violence was a reprisal for an earlier attack by Munga Lelau youths on Fulani settlements, MUDA strongly refutes this claim. They assert that the crisis began in Bandawa when a Fulani herder allegedly killed a farmer. Subsequent attacks by armed Fulani militias then resulted in the deaths of several Munga-Dosso and Munga-Lelau residents.
Agriculture Under Threat: A Looming Food Crisis?
The deteriorating security situation in Karim-Lamido is not just a humanitarian crisis; it’s an economic one. The region’s agricultural economy, particularly the Fadama dry season farming activities, is under severe threat. This farming attracts people from all over northern Nigeria. If farmers are afraid to work their land, a food crisis could be on the horizon.
MUDA’s Plea: Government, Act Now!
MUDA is calling on both state and federal authorities to take immediate action. They warn that inaction will only embolden further violence. The association also urges the implementation of recommendations from any forthcoming peace and reconciliation reports.
A Call for Coexistence: “Live and Let Live”
“The principle of ‘live and let live’ must be upheld,” Ezra declared. He emphasized that any attempt by herdsmen to displace indigenous communities and seize their lands must be rejected by all Nigerians who value peace.
What’s Next?
As the mourning period begins, the affected communities are grappling with the aftermath of these horrific events. The question now is whether the government will step up and provide the security and support needed to rebuild these shattered lives and prevent future tragedies.
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