Taraba: 62 houses razed as farmers, herders clash over water source

At least 62 homes have been destroyed in a renewed wave of violence in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, following a clash between suspected Fulani herders and Tiv farming communities.

The conflict, which erupted over access to a shared water source, has displaced dozens of residents and deepened ethnic tensions in the region.

Local reports indicate that the violence began near a pond located between Tor Bali and Atongo villages, a resource long contested by farmers and herders. According to eyewitnesses, tensions boiled over when a woman fetching water was confronted by a cow at the pond. The situation escalated quickly after the herders allegedly assaulted the woman, sparking retaliation from community members.

Speaking on the incident, the Chairman of Bali Local Government, Aboki Dauda, confirmed that the confrontation spiraled out of control, resulting in the burning of dozens of homes and widespread panic.

“What happened here was terrible, you can see houses burnt, people displaced, but thank God that there was no life lost,” Dauda said.“Trouble started at the pond where the Tiv people were fetching water, the Fulani herders brought their cattle there, destroyed the area, and a woman who went to fetch water confronted them for spoiling the water by asking their cattle to drink from where they fetch to also drink,” he explained.

“There and then, they attacked her with their sticks and she fell, cried, and called the husband and neighbours to assist her, and from there the crisis escalated all over the two communities.I took a bold step and summoned the leaders of the herders at the local government secretariat. We have identified them and warned that if such is repeated, they will be held responsible. The Fulani herders do not listen to their parents, that’s the problem we have with them.”

One of the victims, Ezekiel Gboo from Tor Baki village, shared his harrowing experience.

“On that day, we were working on our farms and we saw them come from different directions with sticks and machetes and we had to flee for our lives.While running, I pulled out my phone and called our Tiv leader, who instructed me to run to the police station immediately. While escaping, I couldn’t go further. I stopped, and they pounced on me; they were about 30, hitting me with sticks and cutlasses, and that was how they inflicted injuries on me.”

In response to the unrest, a delegation from the Taraba State Government visited the area, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining peace and supporting victims. Relief materials and non-food items were distributed during the visit.

The team, led by Saviour Noku, the state’s Commissioner for Special Duties and Humanitarian Affairs, urged both communities to pursue peaceful coexistence.

“Let’s try to live in peace with our neighbours, I know you’re peace-loving people and I want us to learn from what has happened and let us give peace a chance.It is always cheaper to stop a crisis from happening than to be reactionary; be proactive.What we have come up with is just an interim measure. I know we have more plans to make you comfortable and return to your ancestral homes,” said the commissioner.

Also on the visit was Veronica Alhassan, the member representing Bali One Constituency in the State House of Assembly, who echoed the call for reconciliation and urged residents to let go of resentment.

The delegation made a courtesy stop at the Bakundi Palace, where they enlisted the support of the traditional ruler in promoting peace. In addition, relief support was extended to residents of Garba Chede, a community recently struck by a devastating windstorm that claimed six lives and damaged over 200 homes.