Curfew Imposed In Taraba Community After DSS Officer, Others K!lled [Photo]

Several people, including an officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), have reportedly been killed following renewed violence in parts of the Mambilla Plateau in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State.

According to reports, the violence, which was blamed by residents on an alleged ethnic militia operating in the Mbamnga area, began on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday, September 16, 2026, spreading to several communities, particularly pastoralist settlements.

Several cattle were also reportedly killed, while houses were allegedly set ablaze during the attacks.

The violence reportedly forced many residents, including women and children, to flee their communities, with some said to have crossed into neighbouring Cameroon in search of safety.

Following the escalation, the Chairman of Sardauna Local Government Council, Mohammed Umar, imposed a 24-hour curfew on Mbamnga, Mbara and Geroji communities.

Umar, while announcing the measure on Wednesday, said the situation was under control and assured residents that security personnel had been deployed to the affected areas to restore order and protect lives and property.

He directed security agencies to enforce the curfew and arrest anyone found violating the directive.

However, reports from the affected areas indicated that violence was still ongoing in some pastoralist settlements despite the curfew.

Umar Saidu, a pastoralist in one of the affected communities, alleged that attackers invaded the settlement and killed three people. He also claimed that several cattle were killed and houses destroyed.

“We don’t know where our children and women are because when the attackers came, everyone started running for his life,” Saidu said.

Another resident, Alhaji Aminu Bello, expressed concern over the recurrence of violence on the plateau, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

Bello alleged that some politicians could be behind the recurring violence, although he provided no evidence to substantiate the claim. He also called for the prosecution of anyone found responsible for sponsoring or carrying out attacks in the area.

Meanwhile, the Stakeholders Forum in Sardauna Local Government Area has expressed concern over the unrest in Mbara village, Mbamnga District.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the forum’s chairman, Timothy Kataps, said stakeholders received reports of the violence with deep concern.

Kataps, who is also the Secretary to the Taraba State Government, appealed to residents, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation, to remain calm and avoid actions or statements that could further escalate the situation.

The forum also urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents and youth leaders to encourage their communities to embrace dialogue and help prevent further violence.

Security agencies are expected to continue monitoring the affected communities as authorities work to restore peace and determine those responsible for the reported attacks.