Brutal Ethnic Cleansing Murders Mount as Terrorists Dare Soldiers to Respond
By Mike Odeh James and Elisha Ayes
Takum–As Nigeria’s Security forces grapple with a wave of kidnappings and murders across the Middle Belt, more than 10 Christians have been murdered in the past 48 hours across communities in Southern Taraba State.
Speaking to TruthNigeria, Father George Dogo of the Holy Family Cathedral, Takum, confirmed a new wave of violence.
“On 27th November 2025, Fulani Ethnic Militia killed three persons: Mr. Francis Orkeen, Mr. Orfega Msughaondo, Mr. Amba Tseke— all at New Gboko, Takum County,” Father Dogo said.
He added that the killings continued.
“On 30th November 2025, the same Fulani Ethnic Militia killed Zaki Lumunga Adenger of Jimeigo, Takum County,” Father Dogo said.
Father Dogo, who ministers directly in the affected areas, also described another brazen attack:
“There was an attack by Fulani Ethnic Militia on Tse Atim around 10 a.m. today. They captured some women fleeing the village, stripped them of their clothes, and seized their mobile phones,” Father Dogo said. “The attackers eventually released the women unharmed and told them to ‘return the feedback to the Nigerian Army immediately—that if the army are men enough, they should come over; we are still waiting for them in the village.”
One of My Parishioners Was Executed
Another priest, Fr. Titus Shimanyan—whose cathedral at Agu Centre in Benue was destroyed, forcing many parishioners to flee to Amadu, Chanchengi, and various parts of Taraba—also spoke to TruthNigeria.
He confirmed that one of his parishioners was brutally executed by Fulani terrorists.
How Fulani Ethnic Militia Killed My Uncle
A 25-year-old student at the Federal University Wukari and farmer, Fedelia Jeremiah, corroborated Fr. Shimanyan’s account.
“The person killed is Zeki Mlumunga Adenger from Igbum village in Takum. He is my uncle,” the student said. Her name is withheld for security reasons.
“Fulanis came to our village and started grazing on our farmlands. One of the farmers challenged them to leave his farm and graze elsewhere. Instead of leaving, the Fulani men—about five of them—chopped off his head. That happened on Thursday evening,” she said.
Angered villagers attempted to defend themselves.
“The villagers got angry and decided to fight back. The Fulanis abandoned their cattle and ran away,” she said.
But the retaliation triggered a larger coordinated assault.
“On Saturday morning, plenty of them armed with guns stormed Igbum on motorbikes, shouting ‘Allahu Akbar.’ Women and girls ran, leaving the men to defend the community. They also burnt Houses and grain stores,” the student said. “After the battle subsided, I learned my uncle had been killed and was already being prepared for burial.”
Deserted Villages as Fulani Take Over
Fedelia said fear has forced the entire community to flee: “All of us have deserted Igbum because the Fulani terrorists will likely attack us again. I don’t see how I can return. They have been attacking and killing people, so the villagers decided to leave.”
She said that not only her village that is under attack, “I know of other communities that have lost up to ten people, and many have fled so that the Fulanis will not come and kill them.”
Her story mirrors the experience of many other Christian communities across Takum County.
Fulani Land Takeover Continues Despite Army Presence
Community leaders in Takum told TruthNigeria that despite the presence of the Nigerian Army, Fulani terrorists continue killings and land seizures from indigenous Christian populations.
“When Taraba State announced that the military would be sent to Takum County to flush out the Fulani Ethnic Militia, the people were happy,” local leaders told TruthNigeria. “On 26th November 2025, there was a security meeting with the Chairman of Takum, chiefs, opinion leaders, and security heads. Agenda: No killings and no destruction of farms. Barely a day after, Fulani terrorists killed three persons.”
Fr. Dogo added, “Our concern is that the military is not intervening in anything. Killings are ongoing. Destruction of farms is increasing. People are getting frustrated—and frustration is dangerous.”
Another resident, Musa Soros, a farmer and father of eight, accused the military of looking the other way.
“It is not far-fetched—the military is romancing the terrorists. It is conniving with the Fulani Ethnic Militia. Their relationship is a very serious one,” Soros said.
Ibi’s Forgotten Villages, Now Occupied
Another Christian community—Ibi in Takum County—fell to the same pattern of violent displacement, only much earlier and on a far larger scale.
Speaking to TruthNigeria, Fr. Samuel Tswam of Christ the King Parish recounted the devastation: “Between 2015 and 2020, forty-eight villages were razed, each with no fewer than 30 homes, leaving entire families homeless and scattered. We also lost 49 churches, including the central parish that once served as the spiritual and social heart of our community.”
He said recovery remains painfully slow:
“Only ten villages have seen partial returns of displaced parishioners. Kidnapping still occurs, though less frequently, and ransoms are often paid. Just recently, one victim was killed.”
Ibi’s story remains one of deep wounds, abandoned homelands, and ongoing occupation.
Government Responsibility Dwindling
Despite the magnitude of destruction, government response has been minimal. Aside from limited relief materials, authorities have done little to curb the violence or provide sustainable solutions. Residents insist the attacks are driven by a clear intent: to forcibly occupy ancestral Christian lands.
Over the years, Ibi has suffered multiple deadly raids, but recent assaults stand out for their scale and brutality.
TruthNigeria called the commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS)—the security outfit responsible for Benue and Taraba—but there was no response.
A text message was also sent, but there was no reply.
Mike Odeh James and Elisha Ayes are Conflict Reporters for TruthNigeria.
Credit Mike Odeh James
