Tension has once again engulfed communities in Taraba State following a violent confrontation between suspected herders and Tiv farming communities in Bali Local Government Area.
The clash, reportedly sparked by a disagreement over access to a communal water source, has left one individual injured and no fewer than 62 houses reduced to ashes.
According to findings by Naijapunchnews, the violence broke out after a woman from the Tiv community attempted to fetch water from a shared pond located between the villages of Tor Bali and Atongo. The same pond is also used by Fulani herders to water their cattle, creating a long-standing but fragile situation of shared usage.
The Chairman of Bali Local Government Area, Aboki Dauda, confirmed the incident and provided details on what triggered the violence. “Trouble started when a woman went to fetch water at the pond and encountered cows being watered there. She confronted the herders for allowing their cattle to defecate and muddy the pond, which is the only clean water source for the farming community,” Dauda stated.
According to him, the woman was assaulted by the herders, prompting her to cry out for help. Her distress call mobilized members of the local Tiv community, leading to a rapid escalation of the situation.
“What happened here is really unfortunate. You can see the devastation homes burnt to the ground, people displaced but we thank God no life was lost,” Dauda told journalists. He added that he had summoned Fulani community leaders to a meeting at the council headquarters, where he warned that any future disturbances would attract serious consequences.
“We have identified the culprits and informed their leaders. If this happens again, they will be held responsible. The sad part is that these herders often ignore their elders and community leaders, which makes the situation more difficult to manage,” Dauda lamented.
A local farmer, Ezekiel Gboo, who narrowly escaped with his life, recounted his harrowing experience. “We were working on our farms when suddenly, they emerged from different directions armed with sticks and machetes. Everyone fled. I tried to call our Tiv leader, who advised me to head straight to the police station. Unfortunately, I didn’t get far before they caught up with me and began attacking me. About 30 of them beat me with sticks and cutlasses. That’s how I sustained my injuries,” he said.
In the wake of the incident, the Taraba State Government has taken steps to quell tensions and provide support to the affected residents. A high-powered delegation led by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Humanitarian Affairs, Saviour Noku, visited the affected areas to deliver emergency relief supplies and promote dialogue.
Speaking to displaced residents, Noku emphasized the importance of proactive conflict prevention. “Let us learn from this unfortunate situation and commit to peaceful coexistence. Preventing a crisis is always less costly than managing its aftermath,” he advised. “What we’re offering now is temporary relief, but we’re working on long-term strategies to help you return to your homes and rebuild your lives.”
Accompanying him was Hon. Veronica Alhassan, who represents Bali One Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly. She encouraged the communities to avoid harboring resentment and to choose peace over vengeance. “Retaliation only leads to more loss. Let’s pursue peace and give room for dialogue,” she urged.
The delegation also met with the traditional ruler of Bakundi at his palace, seeking his cooperation in maintaining law and order within his domain.
In a related development, the state government also distributed relief materials to victims of a recent windstorm in the Garba Chede community, which claimed six lives and destroyed over 200 homes. The humanitarian intervention covered both crises in a bid to restore hope and stability to the embattled communities.
As of now, security has been tightened in the affected areas while dialogue between farmers and herders continues under the supervision of the local government and traditional leaders.
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