Taraba killings: Union seeks Kefas’ urgent intervention over house burnings, farm restrictions

The Lemil Development Union (LDU) has appealed to Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas to urgently intervene in reported incidents of house burnings and restrictions on farming activities in Mbamnga, Sardauna Local Government Area, warning that the developments could undermine efforts to restore peace in the community.

The union, in a letter dated October 13, 2026, expressed concern over reports of houses being burnt in outlying settlements, particularly Roh, as recently as October 12, despite efforts to restore normalcy following the recent crisis in the area.

In the letter addressed to Kefas through the Secretary to the State Government, Gebon Timothy Kataps Ngwii, the union said the reported incidents had raised fresh concerns about residents’ safety, the protection of property and the sustainability of the fragile peace in Mbamnga.

The letter, signed by the union’s President, Dr Jeff I. Mashi, and Secretary, Jimmy S. Kella, acknowledged the government’s peacebuilding efforts but warned that continued insecurity could reverse the progress made towards restoring calm.

The LDU also expressed concern over restrictions preventing residents from accessing their farmlands, as well as reports of people being harmed while travelling to their farms.

“The restrictions are creating additional hardship for residents of the predominantly agrarian community, who depend on farming for food, income and family sustenance,” the union said.

“The inability of farmers to access and harvest their crops during the current farming season could worsen food insecurity, threaten livelihoods and further weaken the local economy,” it warned.

The union said the combination of reported house burnings, difficulties accessing farmlands and uncertainty over residents’ safety could generate fear and frustration, potentially threatening the fragile peace in the area.

“Peace must not only be declared; it must be felt in the daily lives of the people,” the union said, stressing that peaceful coexistence must be reflected in the safety of homes, protection of property and freedom to pursue legitimate livelihoods.

The LDU clarified that its appeal was not intended to apportion blame, inflame tensions or undermine the efforts of the government and security agencies, but to encourage timely and impartial intervention before the situation escalated.

It called on the state government to direct the appropriate security authorities to investigate the reported burning of houses in Roh and other affected settlements and take appropriate action based on their findings.

The union also urged the government to strengthen security in vulnerable communities to protect residents from attacks, intimidation and the destruction of property.

On farming activities, the LDU appealed for a review of existing security restrictions and the establishment of practical arrangements to enable farmers to access their farmlands and harvest their crops safely, subject to necessary security assessments.

It further called for security operations to be conducted professionally and impartially, in accordance with the law, with particular attention to reports of harm or mistreatment involving residents engaged in lawful activities.

The union also requested an urgent meeting involving security agencies, traditional authorities, community representatives and other stakeholders to establish the facts, address grievances and develop measures to prevent further incidents.

In addition, it urged the government to establish a sustained monitoring mechanism to identify emerging threats and prevent the situation from deteriorating into renewed hostilities.

The LDU said early intervention would help prevent further human suffering, property destruction, displacement and economic losses, while appealing to the state government to protect all law-abiding residents without discrimination.

Taraba killings: Union seeks Kefas’ urgent intervention over house burnings, farm restrictions