The Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State has imposed a 24-hour curfew following a fresh wave of killings and destruction of property by suspected armed militia groups. The suspected militia, it was gathered, has carried out several attacks on Wurkum communities around Didango, Mutum Daya, Kodai, Gurum and other neighbouring settlements, leaving several people dead and forcing many residents to flee.
Normalcy had reportedly returned to some of the affected communities two days earlier after the deployment of security operatives. However, fresh attacks were launched on Thursday and Friday, worsening the security situation in the area.
The latest escalation prompted the council chairperson, Mrs Virginia Baba Bambur, to impose the curfew in the affected communities within the local government area. In a statement, Mrs Bambur said the decision had become necessary due to the worsening violence, continued attacks and loss of lives and property.
She directed all security agencies, including the Army, Police, Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to enforce strict compliance with the directive. She also said the government would carry out a thorough investigation into the root cause of the crisis and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Mrs Bambur urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that efforts were ongoing to restore peace and stability in the affected communities. Karim-Lamido has experienced recurring communal clashes, bandit attacks and ethnic tensions between Karimjo and Wurkum groups in recent years, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of property and displacement of residents.