Councilor representing Akete Ward in Donga Local Government Council, Hon. Jacob Abam, village head of Mbaiyoon, HRH Vaatyough Waakaa, and 12 other villagers from Tor-Damsa in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State were killed, while farms and houses worth millions of naira were destroyed in coordinated attacks by suspected Fulani herders.
The violence erupted after cows belonging to a herder invaded a cassava farm owned by a Tiv man in the area.
Speaking to NATIONAL ACCORD correspondent, a former councilor of the local government, Hon. Victor Antaav, said the farmer was attacked with a cutlass when he tried to prevent the animals from destroying his farm, sustaining serious injuries.
> “When the Fulani herders entered and destroyed a Tiv man’s cassava farm, they ruined the tubers. When he came to chase them out, they attacked him with a cutlass, leaving him with several injuries. One of the herders who was caught by the locals was also manhandled. In retaliation, the Fulani herders mobilized overnight, killing innocent villagers and destroying crops, burning down houses and properties worth millions of naira,” Antaav said.
Those killed on January 9, 2026, include: Zaki, Vaatyough Waakaa (village head of Anchough-Shagu), Hon. Jacob Abam (Councilor, Akete Ward), Akombo Shaku, Tarkaha Dorough, Terkura Myavega, Terfa Asaaga, Iorya Mbaan, Azeda Abugh, and Mrs. Abugh. Additional victims whose bodies were found on January 10 include Terzugwe Orhumbuga, Abacha Oraer, and Tamen Ahemba.
The attackers also destroyed several villages and farms. On January 9, Tse Shagu, Tse Anger, Tse Uhura, Tse Ikyahar, Agboughur, and Tse Kwadan were destroyed. The following day, January 10, Tse Ikyanyon and surrounding villages were razed, with properties, farm produce, and seedlings both on farms and in homes completely destroyed.
Antaav confirmed that all the affected villages belong to Tiv farmers.
Efforts to reach Victor Msherizar, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Taraba State Command, for confirmation of the incident were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
