One person was killed and 10 others injured after a farmers-herders clash in Taraba’s Pangri community. Police have restored calm and launched an investigation.
A renewed outbreak of violence between farmers and herders has claimed one life and left at least 10 other people injured in Pangri community, located in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, despite ongoing efforts by the state government to promote peace and prevent communal conflicts.
The latest incident has reignited concerns over the recurring clashes between farming and pastoral communities in different parts of Taraba, where disputes over farmland, grazing routes, and access to natural resources have repeatedly resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of residents.
According to information made available by security authorities, the violence erupted after a farmer reported that cattle belonging to herders had allegedly strayed onto his farmland and destroyed crops.
The complaint was formally lodged with the police, prompting officers to move into the community to assess the situation and prevent the disagreement from escalating.
However, what initially appeared to be a routine intervention reportedly degenerated into violence, leading to casualties and injuries before additional security personnel and community leaders were able to restore order.
The spokesperson of the Taraba State Police Command, ASP Victor Mshelizah, confirmed the incident, stating that security agencies had successfully brought the situation under control.
He explained that police officers responded immediately after receiving the complaint from the farmer, while efforts were also initiated to engage both parties in dialogue as part of measures to peacefully resolve the dispute.
According to him, the command remains committed to ensuring that peace returns fully to the affected community and that every resident can go about their lawful activities without fear.
Mshelizah also disclosed that a comprehensive investigation has commenced to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the violence.
He assured members of the public that anyone found to have participated in the attack or contributed to the unrest would face the full weight of the law.
He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and avoid taking the law into their own hands, stressing that all grievances should be reported through lawful channels.
Providing additional insight into the incident, the District Head of Pangri, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Pangri, said the confrontation began on Sunday shortly after the farmer filed his complaint with the police.
The traditional ruler alleged that some herders attacked the police team that responded to the report using cutlasses, resulting in one fatality and injuries to 10 other individuals.
Although authorities have yet to officially disclose the identity of the deceased, the incident has generated anxiety among residents, many of whom fear that reprisal attacks could trigger another cycle of violence if preventive measures are not sustained.
Despite the tragic outcome, the district head praised the swift intervention of security personnel, traditional rulers, and other community leaders, saying their prompt response prevented the crisis from spreading beyond Pangri.
According to him, coordinated efforts by stakeholders helped calm tensions and restore normalcy within a short period, enabling residents to resume their daily routines.
Community leaders have also appealed to both farmers and herders to embrace dialogue rather than violence whenever disagreements arise.
They warned that repeated conflicts not only threaten lives but also disrupt farming activities, livestock production, trade, education, and other economic activities that sustain local communities.
The latest violence comes barely days after the Taraba State Government organized an expanded security and peace summit for the Central Zone.
The gathering brought together government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth representatives, and community stakeholders to discuss practical strategies for addressing the persistent farmers-herders conflicts affecting several parts of the state.
The summit focused on strengthening community dialogue, improving intelligence gathering, promoting peaceful coexistence, and enhancing collaboration between security agencies and local leaders to prevent future violence.
The renewed clash in Pangri has, however, highlighted the enormous challenges that still confront peacebuilding efforts across Taraba State.
For years, disputes involving farmers and herders have remained one of the state’s most pressing security concerns, with disagreements over grazing activities and farmland boundaries frequently escalating into deadly confrontations.
Security agencies have assured residents that surveillance has been strengthened around Pangri and neighbouring communities to prevent further disturbances.
Authorities also said peace meetings involving community representatives, traditional institutions, and relevant stakeholders will continue in the coming days to ensure that the fragile calm currently being enjoyed is sustained.
Residents have expressed hope that the ongoing investigation, coupled with continued dialogue and improved security presence, will help prevent another outbreak of violence and pave the way for lasting peace in the community.
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