A wave of sorrow swept through Munga Lalau and Munga Doso communities in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State on Saturday as residents held a mass burial for victims of a deadly overnight attack believed to have been carried out by armed herdsmen.
The tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Friday when over 50 assailants, reportedly riding motorcycles, descended on the villages around 2am, opening fire on residents as they slept.
Security personnel involved in rescue efforts disclosed that at least 42 bodies had been recovered, with many still unaccounted for.
“We are still searching, and the toll could rise,” said one soldier who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Chairman of the Munga Youth Forum, Suleiman Joel, expressed deep anguish over the scale of the killings.
“This wasn’t random,” he said. “It’s systematic. People trusted the government’s security assurances and returned home—only to be massacred. How do we explain this to their loved ones?”
Survivors described scenes of chaos as attackers, wielding AK-47 rifles and machetes, went from house to house, torching buildings and killing anyone they encountered.
“They came in the dead of night, and there was nowhere to hide,” recounted Soja Emmanuel, a local resident.
“People tried to flee into the bush, but not all escaped.”
The communal burial on Saturday was filled with raw emotion, with many relatives struggling to come to terms with their loss.
Augustine Munga, a community leader who lost two brothers, called on the government to act swiftly to halt the ongoing violence and ensure justice is served.
“Soldiers and other security agents helped conduct the mass burial here in Munga Lalau,” he added.
Another grieving resident, who lost four family members, said the nature of the assault suggested it was orchestrated, not spontaneous.
“We spent the night hiding in the bush. The gunfire was relentless. When we returned this morning, our homes were gone,” he said in a choked voice during a phone call.
Sarah Bitrus, who lost her husband and two other relatives, could barely speak. “My world has ended,” she whispered through tears.
Governor Agbu Kefas condemned the attack, labeling it as horrific and unacceptable.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Emmanuel Bello, the governor mourned the lives lost and pledged to bring those responsible to justice.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to securing the state, calling for stronger cooperation between citizens and security agencies, especially in the areas of intelligence sharing and vigilance.
Meanwhile, the acting Police Public Relations Officer in the state, James Lashen, confirmed the assault, attributing it to suspected herdsmen.
He noted that police operatives responded swiftly, forcing the attackers to flee and abandoning one of their motorcycles.
Four bodies were recovered at the scene, he said, adding that no police casualties were recorded.