…Seeks Deployment of More Security Personnel to Protect Farmers

By Femi Bolaji

The Munga Dosso community in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State has called on the state government to fully enforce the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law to curb the continued attacks allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen on farming communities.

Describing the recent wave of violence in their area and surrounding villages as deeply traumatizing, the community stressed the urgent need for decisive government action.

Speaking at a press briefing in Jalingo, the state capital, the community’s spokesperson, Robert Bukar, also condemned what he called a “coordinated campaign of disinformation” accusing Munga Dosso residents of cattle theft.

“We want to set the record straight regarding a rumour circulating on social media, which alleges that Munga Dosso people are involved in stealing cattle from Fulani herders,” Bukar said.

“In reality, nearly every family in Munga Dosso rears cattle—some individuals own as many as 400 cows.”

He emphasized the community’s reputation for agricultural productivity and warm hospitality, which has attracted farmers from neighboring states such as Gombe, Bauchi, and Adamawa—especially for dry-season rice and staple crop farming.

Bukar disclosed that the May 12, 2025, attack on Munga Dosso claimed eight lives and left twelve others injured. He lamented that no government representative, either from the state or federal level, attended the mass burial of the victims.

He also warned of an escalating humanitarian crisis due to the displacement of residents, calling for urgent intervention by the government.

Outlining the community’s demands, Bukar stated: “The Munga Dosso community respectfully requests the deployment of more security personnel to enable farmers to safely return to their farmlands.

We also call for a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of the recent attacks, and for strict enforcement of the state’s law prohibiting open grazing.”