Youths burn 18 houses in Taraba community

Suspected youths have set ablaze at least 18 thatched houses in Tompo Village in Takum Local Government Area, according to police sources.

The incident occurred in the early hours of March 9 and was reported by a resident, Zaki Thomas Yamusa, who lives near Army Gate 2 in the area.

Security sources said the attackers, believed to be youths speaking the Kuteb language, stormed the village at about 1:00 a.m. and set fire to houses belonging to Tiv residents who had recently returned to the community.

Tompo Village had reportedly been deserted for years following a violent crisis between Tiv and Kuteb communities that erupted in 2006 and persisted for a long period.

However, Tiv residents were said to have returned to the settlement in 2026 after a peace meeting with the Chief of Jenuwa Gida.

During the attack, the assailants burned down 18 round thatched houses, destroying food grains, mobile phones and other valuables belonging to the affected residents.

No casualties were reported in the incident.

Police detectives later visited the scene to document the damage and take photographs as part of preliminary investigations.

Authorities have also invited village heads from the affected communities for discussions aimed at preventing further escalation of the situation.

Security sources said intelligence gathering had been intensified, while surveillance teams had been deployed to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack.

The police added that investigations were ongoing and efforts were being made to ensure the incident does not escalate into a wider communal conflict in the area.