One person was injured and sixty-two houses were set ablaze following a violent clash between herders and farmers in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.
According to Channels TV, the conflict broke out over access to a pond located between Tor Bali and Atongo villages.
Aboki Dauda, chairman of Bali LGA, said the violence started after herders brought their cattle to the pond, where a woman was fetching water. An altercation ensued, leading to a full-blown confrontation when she cried out and community members responded.
“What happened here was terrible, you can see houses burnt, people displaced, but thank God that there was no life lost,” Dauda said.
He explained that the crisis erupted after Fulani herders allowed their cattle to drink from the same pond used by the Tiv people for fetching water. A woman who challenged them was attacked.
“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.”
Dauda said the local government had summoned leaders of the herders and warned them of the consequences of further violence.
“The Fulani herders do not listen to their parents, that’s the problem we have with them,” he was quoted as saying.
Ezekiel Gboo, a farmer from Tor Baki who was injured in the attack, recounted a terrifying experience on his farm.
“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,” he said.
“I called our Tiv leader, who instructed me to run to the police station. While escaping, I couldn’t go further. I stopped, and they pounced on me; they were about 30, hitting me with sticks and cutlasses. That was how they inflicted injuries on me.”
Taraba government condemns attack
The Taraba State Government condemned the violence, vowing not to tolerate actions that threaten peace in the state.
A delegation led by Saviour Noku, Commissioner for Special Duties and Humanitarian Affairs, visited the affected communities to distribute non-food relief items and appeal for calm.
“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,” Noku said.
“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.”
Veronica Alhassan, who represents Bali One constituency in the state assembly, also urged both communities to forgive and reconcile.
The delegation visited the palace of the Chief of Bakundi to seek his support in restoring peace and fostering unity in the area.