Panic has gripped Chanchanji town in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State following an ongoing attack by suspected herdsmen, with residents reportedly fleeing into nearby bushes as gunshots rang out across the community.
According to a distress message shared by a resident, the attackers invaded the town on Saturday afternoon and began shooting sporadically, throwing residents into confusion and fear.
Residents who spoke from the area said heavy gunfire could be heard in different parts of the community, forcing men, women and children to abandon their homes and seek refuge in the bush.
A villager who spoke to SaharaReporters described the situation as terrifying, saying the community was under attack.
“Fulani terrorists are attacking my town in Taraba State now. There are gunshots everywhere in Chanchanji,” the resident said.
As of the time of filing this report, residents said there was no visible police or other security presence in the town, leaving members of the community struggling to escape the attack as the gunfire continued.
The number of casualties, if any, and the extent of damage caused by the attack had yet to be established.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the persistent insecurity in Chanchanji Ward, which has witnessed repeated attacks and displacement of residents over the past year.
The crisis has reportedly displaced more than 90,000 people from affected communities, including Adu, Demeva, New-Gboko and Peva-Chanchanji. Some schools in the area have been converted into camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) forced to abandon their homes.
The latest attack also comes against the backdrop of previous deadly incidents in the area. In July 2024, the traditional ruler of Chanchanji, His Royal Highness Tanimu Kunbiya, and his son were killed along the Takum-Chanchanji road.
Despite security operations in the area, including efforts by troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade under Operation Whirl Stroke to foil planned attacks, residents continue to face threats to their lives and livelihoods.
In recent months, troops have reportedly foiled several planned attacks on the community. However, the latest incident has raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of security arrangements in protecting residents from recurring violence.
Community leaders had also appealed for the deployment of security personnel to a newly constructed police station in Chanchanji, which has yet to be fully staffed.
Residents are now calling on the Taraba State Government and relevant security agencies to urgently deploy personnel to the community, halt the ongoing attack and prevent further loss of lives.
The situation remained tense as of the time of filing this report, with casualties and the full extent of the attack yet to be confirmed.