A joint security operation in Taraba State descended into violence on Monday after troops deployed to protect farmers were ambushed by suspected local militia members, resulting in the death of a soldier and the disappearance of two others.
The affected personnel, drawn from a special forces unit and supported by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were on an assignment to provide security for Tiv farmers harvesting their crops in a bush area of Takum Local Government Area. The operation was aimed at preventing attacks on farmers amid ongoing tensions in the region.
According to a security source who spoke to Zagazola Makama, the troops came under sudden attack during the escort mission. One soldier was confirmed dead, while two others are yet to be accounted for, sparking concern among security authorities. Efforts to determine their whereabouts are reportedly ongoing.
In what appeared to be an immediate response to the incident, soldiers were said to have taken control of parts of Takum town, including the venue of a major public gathering. The troops reportedly cordoned off the Federal Government Reserved (FGR) Samsokwa Hall, where an election for executives of the Miyetti Allah association was taking place. Male executives present at the venue were arrested, although official confirmation and details of the arrests have yet to be released.
The source also revealed that allegations had surfaced linking the attack to a local militia group, with unverified claims pointing fingers at the Taraba State Special Adviser on Security as being connected to the militia. However, these accusations remain unproven, and no official statement has been issued by the state government or security agencies to substantiate the claims.
In a separate but equally troubling development, security forces in Kwara State recorded a breakthrough after arresting a group of suspected armed bandits in Ifelodun Local Government Area. The suspects were apprehended on Friday and were reportedly found in possession of AK-47 rifles.
Following their arrest, a video circulated on social media showing security operatives interrogating the suspects. In the footage, one of the arrested individuals made serious allegations, claiming that certain officials of the Kwara State government supplied the group with both the firearms and the vehicle they were using.
The suspect further alleged that the weapons did not personally belong to them, insisting that their leader was responsible for collecting and distributing the rifles. He also claimed that the group often carried out operations under the guise of patrol duties, allegedly in collaboration with the named officials.
While the claims have not been independently verified, they have raised serious concerns and calls for a thorough investigation. Security agencies have yet to formally respond to the allegations, but observers say the developments in both Taraba and Kwara states underscore the complex and deeply troubling nature of Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.
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