Several lives were lost in Karim Lamido in Taraba State as criminal gang struck in the midnight attack on Friday shooting sporadically at innocent members of the community.
The Punch newspaper reports that the community once known for their calm and communal harmony, have now become symbols of grief and devastation. The deadly assault began in the early hours of Friday morning, around 2am, when armed men descended upon the sleeping communities, leaving a trail of destruction and death in their wake.
Accounts from survivors and local security forces, the attackers—numbering more than 50—arrived on motorcycles under the cover of darkness. Without warning, they began shooting indiscriminately at homes where families were asleep, catching the villagers completely off guard. The sudden burst of gunfire and screams shattered the silence of the night, plunging the communities into chaos and panic.
One eyewitness recounted that many victims were shot at close range, some while attempting to flee, and others as they tried to shield their loved ones. The attackers moved swiftly from house to house, setting structures ablaze and leaving behind scenes of unimaginable horror.
The full extent of the tragedy became apparent with daylight. Lifeless bodies lay scattered across courtyards, footpaths, and farmland. Survivors, many of whom had hidden in the bushes through the night, emerged in shock, trying to piece together what had just happened.
As the sun rose on Saturday, heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as families, accompanied by neighbors and sympathizers, conducted mass burials. Tears flowed freely as coffins were lowered into the ground. The air was filled with cries of anguish, prayers for justice, and the haunting silence of lives cut short.
A soldier involved in the rescue and recovery efforts told Sunday PUNCH that, “We have counted 42 bodies so far, with many still missing.”
In the wake of the massacre, the community leaders have called for immediate intervention from both the state and federal governments. They are demanding justice, increased security presence, and support for those displaced by the violence.
