According to a distress message shared by a resident, the attackers invaded the town this afternoon and started shooting sporadically.
Panic has gripped Chanchanji town in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State following an ongoing attack on the community by suspected herdsmen.
Residents who spoke from the area said heavy gunshots are currently being heard in different parts of the town, forcing residents including women and children to flee into the bush for safety.
According to a distress message shared by a resident, the attackers invaded the town this afternoon and started shooting sporadically.
As at the time of filing this report, there is no police or security presence in the town. Residents say they are left on their own as the gunfire continues.
The number of casualties and extent of damage is yet to be ascertained.
“Fulani terrorists are attacking my town in Taraba state now. There are gunshots everywhere in Chanchanji,” a villager told SaharaReporters.
Chanchanji Ward has been a flashpoint for attacks in the last one year. The crisis has displaced over 90,000 people from villages such as Adu, Demeva, New-Gboko and Peva-Chanchanji. Schools in the area have been converted to IDP camps.
It will be recalled that in July 2024, the Chief of Chanchanji, HRH Tanimu Kunbiya and his son were killed along Takum-Chanchanji road.
Troops of the Nigerian Army 6 Brigade under Operation Whirl Stroke have also foiled several planned attacks on the community in recent months.
Community leaders had recently appealed for deployment of security personnel to a newly built police station in Chanchanji, which is yet to be fully staffed.
Residents are calling on the Taraba State Government and security agencies to urgently deploy operatives to Chanchanji to stop the ongoing attack.
