A recent communal conflict in Geroji and neighbouring settlements in Mbamnga Ward of Taraba State has left over 1,000 people displaced and more than 340 houses destroyed. The violence, which began on September 16, 2026, lasted for three days and forced some residents to flee across the border into Cameroon. Several people were reportedly killed or remain missing, although the exact number of casualties could not be independently established.
According to community leader Ardo Bashiru, the conflict resulted in the destruction and loss of livestock, including cattle and sheep, with some animals also rustled during the crisis. Bashiru stated that tonnes of foodstuff and other means of livelihood have been completely destroyed, leaving hundreds of families without shelter and necessities. He appealed to the federal and state governments, humanitarian organisations, development partners, and other stakeholders to urgently assist the displaced residents.
The ongoing rainy season has further worsened the condition of residents who fled their homes, particularly those without shelter. Bashiru's appeal for assistance comes as the affected settlements, including Wuro Buba, Wuro Ardo Bashiru, and Wuro Wakili Idrisa, struggle to recover from the violence. The conflict has also raised concerns about the security situation on the Mambilla Plateau, where communal violence in 2017 and 2018 resulted in significant loss of lives and destruction of property.
The Chairman of Sardauna Local Government, Mohammed Umar, confirmed the incident and said the crisis reportedly started after a confrontation between a Mambilla woman and a Fulani man on a farm. Umar described the development as unfortunate and said security personnel had been deployed to the affected communities to restore peace. He warned residents against actions capable of undermining peaceful coexistence and said anyone found attempting to disrupt the peace would face the law.
Umar also disclosed that arrangements had been concluded for the repatriation of residents who fled the border to Nyang in the Donga-Mantung Division of Cameroon. He appealed to governments, traditional institutions, development partners, and humanitarian agencies to support the resettlement, rehabilitation, and reintegration of the displaced population. The local government's efforts aim to provide a safe and conducive environment for the return of displaced residents.
The Chief of Mbamnga, Abubakar Saleh, also appealed for calm, urging residents to preserve the longstanding relationship between the communities. Saleh described the residents as brothers and sisters and said traditional rulers and other stakeholders were working to prevent a recurrence of the violence. He described the latest incident as the first major conflict of its kind in his domain, highlighting the need for sustained peace efforts.
Authorities and humanitarian agencies now face the immediate challenge of providing emergency shelter, food, clothing, and healthcare to the displaced residents and creating conditions for their safe return home. The conflict has highlighted the need for urgent intervention to address the humanitarian crisis and prevent further violence in the region.
Key points
- Over 1,000 people displaced in the conflict.
- 340 houses destroyed in the violence.
- Repatriation arrangements concluded for residents who fled to Cameroon.
