At least 17 internally displaced persons who had only recently returned home were killed on Wednesday when armed assailants stormed Tse Ajogo village in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. The attack has plunged the community already recovering from earlier violence back into fear and uncertainty.
According to local residents, the gunmen arrived unexpectedly and opened fire indiscriminately. One villager, who witnessed the attack, described the scene as chaotic and heartbreaking. “They came into the village and started shooting at anyone they saw,” he recounted. “Seventeen of our people have been confirmed dead. Several others are missing, and eight are injured. We are arranging to take the wounded to the nearest hospital for treatment.”
Another resident, Mwuese Gesa, confirmed the incident and expressed deep frustration over the repeated assaults on the community. She explained that many of the victims were among families who had only just returned to rebuild their homes after a previous attack less than two months ago. “We were only beginning to settle again,” she said. “Now we are back to mourning and uncertainty.”
The Chairman of the Tiv Cultural and Social Association in Wukari, Aondowase Tor-Orshi, also verified the attack and lamented the tragic setback it represents for displaced families striving to regain stability. He stressed that the community has been living in constant fear due to recurring violence and urged authorities to strengthen security in the area.
As of the time this report was compiled, the Taraba State Police Command had not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. Meanwhile, residents continue to search for missing loved ones and brace for possible further attacks.
The latest violence highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by communities in the region, particularly returning IDPs who remain vulnerable despite attempts to rebuild their lives.
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