Catholic Priests Lead Solidarity Walk Over Mass Killings in Taraba, Demand Urgent Government Action

Clergy warn of humanitarian crisis as violence displaces 90,000 Catholics and destroys hundreds of homes and churches

Catholic priests, religious leaders, and parishioners from the dioceses of Wukari and Jalingo staged a peaceful protest in Jalingo, Taraba State, on Thursday, condemning the ongoing mass killings in Takum, Donga, and Ussa local government areas.

The protest, tagged a “solidarity walk,” saw participants carrying placards to highlight the plight of residents in Chanchanji Ward of Takum, where over 80 people have reportedly been killed in the last 90 days. Thousands have been displaced, and properties including homes, farms, and churches have been destroyed.

Clergy Accuse Fulani Militias of Attacks

Very Rev. Fr. James Yaro, Vicar Pastoral of the Catholic Diocese of Wukari, said the violence, which began in September 2025, had displaced more than 90,000 Catholics and destroyed over 200 churches and communities.

Fr. Yaro accused suspected Fulani militias of attacking residents during early morning hours, burning homes and farmlands, killing farmers, and preventing displaced residents from harvesting crops. He also alleged that women were raped while trying to access farms to feed their families.

“These attacks pose an existential threat to the people, religion, and development of southern Taraba,” he said. “The militia blocks roads and roams freely, taking crops from abandoned farms to feed their livestock.”

Call for Government Intervention

While acknowledging interventions in other parts of the state, Fr. Yaro urged authorities to deploy adequate security personnel to affected areas and arrest and prosecute perpetrators, irrespective of ethnicity, political affiliation, or religion.

He also called for immediate humanitarian support for internally displaced persons, including food, medical care, bedding, and temporary shelter, to avert a full-scale crisis.

Fr. Yaro appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, and political leaders to engage in constructive dialogue to foster lasting peace. He warned that failure to ensure security could prompt the church to seek international assistance.

Despite the crisis, the clergy pledged continued spiritual support to government and security agencies as they work to restore stability in Taraba.